Silviu Miloiu
President of the Romanian Association for Baltic and Nordic Studies, E-mail: silviu.miloiu@valahia.ro
DOI number: 2478/rjbns-2022-0001
Silviu Miloiu (2022), „Editorial Foreword”. RJBNS 14(2), 5-6. DOI:2478/rjbns-2022-0001
The Romanian Journal of Baltic and Nordic Studies, Volume 14, Issue 2 (2022), explores a wide array of topics, reflecting the journal’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary scholarship and promoting understanding of the Baltic and Nordic regions. This issue features contributions that delve into historical, cultural, political, and artistic themes, offering readers a comprehensive perspective on the interconnected histories and contemporary realities of these regions.
Crina Leon’s article, The Beginnings of Norwegian Teaching in Romania (Bucharest, the 1960s–1980s), examines the pioneering efforts of individuals who introduced and promoted the Norwegian language and culture in Romania during the communist period. Drawing on documentary materials and personal testimonies, the author pieces together a complex narrative that highlights the contributions of figures such as Leiv Flydal, Arne Halvorsen, Valeriu Munteanu, and Ilinca Constantinescu, shedding light on cultural exchanges that occurred despite the constraints of the era.
Kari Alenius’s contribution, Skilful Leaders or Dictators? The Image of the Hegemons of State of the Baltic Countries Conveyed by the Finnish Media in the Interwar Period, investigates how Finnish newspapers portrayed the authoritarian leaders of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania during the interwar years. The article highlights the nuanced perspectives offered by the Finnish press, influenced by ideological leanings and cultural proximity, and revisits the distinct political trajectories of Antanas Smetona, Konstantin Päts, and Kārlis Ulmanis.
The article Webs of Domination: The Eastern Baltic under the Geopolitical Grip of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact (1939–1940), provides a critical reexamination of the Soviet Union’s strategies in the Baltic region following the signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. Through meticulous archival research, the author explores the imperialist undertones of Soviet policies and their devastating implications for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, contributing to ongoing debates about the legacy of this pivotal agreement.
Adel Furu’s piece, Art Moves: Refugee Artists in Finland, shifts the focus to contemporary cultural dynamics, addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by refugee artists in Finland. The study underscores the transformative potential of art as a medium for integration and expression, proposing actionable measures to support these artists in navigating their new sociocultural landscapes.
Finally, Diana Lățug’s review of Nils Magne Knutsen’s book, Knut Hamsun og Nordland. Den lange veien hjem, reflects on the profound connection between Knut Hamsun’s literary identity and his Northern Norwegian roots. The review celebrates the depth of Knutsen’s scholarship and its contribution to understanding Hamsun’s enduring influence on the cultural landscape of Northern Norway.
Together, the articles in this issue offer rich insights into the historical trajectories and cultural narratives of the Baltic and Nordic regions, while addressing broader questions about identity, power, and the arts in shifting political and social contexts.
