Vol. XXIII, 2010
The present article analysis one of the most important moments in one's life: the birth. The first part of the article deals with the pregnancy with all its related rules and taboos. The second part is focused on the physiological act of birth and its medical and cultural implications.
Even if the scientific knowledge about conception and pregnancy was common knowledge, the Romanian society still considered life as a gift from God, more as a miracle rather than natural phenomenon. The sources used for re-constructing the „kitchen of birth” reveal the existence of a hierarchy in the Romanian society, based on the importance of midwives and obstetricians.
This article deals with the production and consumption of beer in Romania between 1875 and 1916, in contrast with the more traditional wine and plum-brandy. The particular case of beer production and consumption is presented in the wider economical context, marked by the industrial development. Beer is also seen as a cultural indicator of a changing life-style in the Romanian society, according to Central-European and Western models.
4. Raluca Tomi, Călători italieni despre societatea românească din secolul al XIX-lea, p. 67-90.
This article intends to present the impressions of seventeen Italian travellers on the 19th Century Romanian society. Coming from different social and professional backgrounds, they have all noticed several aspects material and spiritual existence as well. Thus, they wrote about economical and political changes, popular beliefs and common behaviour. They stressed the differences between the Romanian and Western societies, for instance the absence of a local middle class, the lack of interest for the exploitation of natural resources or the significant corruption.
The present contribution deals with the correspondence between General Heinrich von Hess (1788–1863) and Count Karl von Buol-Schauenstein, dating from 1853, during the military occupation of Moldavia by Austrian forces. General Heinrich von Hess advocated the idea of the leading role of Austria in South-Eastern Europe as a counter-part to the Russian influence. He underlined the importance of Austria’s economical intervention in Moldavia, mainly by financial means. Also, General von Hess considered that Austria had to create a favourable opinion in Moldavia, in order to sustain her political goals.
The present contribution aims to question the present state of the „Dracula Studies”, given some recent publications in the field of Dracula and vampire research. The main thesis is that the above-mentioned studies have not drained their resources and, as the new literature shows, they are at crossroads.
7. [„Sacrul” şi „profanul” în societatea contemporană. Interviu cu Zoe Petre, p. 115-118]
12. [Annales. Histoire, sciences sociales, no 1, 2010. Recenzie de Alexandru Mamina, p. 125-126]