Adrian-Nicolae Furtună: The Construction and Deconstruction of a Roma Hero in the Romanian History

The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) is releasing the masterclass "Prince Ștefan Răzvan: The Construction and Deconstruction of a Roma Hero in the Context of Romanian History and National Memory", with historian Adrian-Nicolae Furtună, produced in the framework of the project Reclaiming Our Past, Rebuilding Our Future: New Approaches to Fighting Antigypsyism (JEKHIPE). The masterclass explores how Ștefan Răzvan, who ruled Moldavia between April and August 1595, became a lasting figure in Romanian debates about identity and memory, shaped in part by claims of his Romani origins and his alliance with Mihai Viteazul against the Ottomans. It traces historiographical disputes sparked by Nicolae Bălcescu, who framed Răzvan as a symbol of emancipation, versus critics who cast him as an illegitimate usurper, embedding ethnic stereotypes in national memory. The session then examines Răzvan’s literary reinvention in Răzvan Vodă by Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu, which elevated him to heroic status, a move contested by figures like P. P. Carp. Concluding with modern Romani reinterpretations that integrate Răzvan into a narrative of resistance and empowerment in a move to reclaim heritage, the masterclass shows how proverbs, literature, and activism have continually reshaped Răzvan’s image, revealing how history and memory intersect in constructing collective identity. The masterclass is available with English and Romani subtitles. Please note that, due to a limitation in YouTube’s subtitle interface, the Romani subtitles are currently listed as Romanian. JEKHIPE is a European Commission-funded initiative (CERV) led by ERGO Network, ERIAC, and CEPS, in collaboration with national partners: Slovo 21 (Czechia), Central Council for German Sinti and Roma (Germany), UCRI and Romni (Italy), Amare Romentza (Romania), FAGiC and Romane Siklovne (Spain), and Trajosko Drom (Sweden). Together, these organizations address historical injustices, such as the lack of recognition for the Roma Holocaust and slavery, while promoting institutional representation in arts and education. By engaging policy-makers and grassroots communities, JEKHIPE seeks to contribute to the establishing of clear mechanisms for governmental accountability across Europe. #JEKHIPE #ReclaimingOurPast #RebuildingOurFuture #CERV #FightingAntigypsyism #RomaRights #HistoricalJustice