One less good man in Roumania - Ion Olteanu

Now here is a man who should not have died in silence and yet his passing hardly made a ripple on 25th October. Does the average Roumanian even know who he is? His life should have been celebrated in unison loudly, clearly and proudly by the whole nation, for here was a man who strove throughout his life for the good of Roumania and latterly, for its children - the very future of the country.

Please see this article below posted on Ronald's superb blog Carpathian Musings (see also right of this page under Ronald's Blog)

One less good man in Romania

Romania lost this week someone it can ill-afford to lose – Ion Olteanu – whom I first met 15 (?) years ago in a small office in the prestigious Office of Government just round the corner at Piata Victoreii. He had been made a State Secretary - with a background not in politics or civil service but in philosophy and the voluntary sector. Indeed he was one of the founding fathers of the real aspects of that sector here – with a strong commitment to help younger people get involved in politics. Establishing youth parliaments in various parts of the country was very much his life – with all the European networking and fund-raising that involved. And his job in the Government Office was to help the government sector understand how to dialogue with and use properly the skills and energy of the voluntary sector. After a few years, he returned to full-time work with youth – with all the minimal finance that gave. To visit the family house was always amazing – with the rooms bulging with files, visitors and – open friendship.

A heavy smoker, he was diagnosed two years ago with lung cancer – but continued to the end to work. And we never heard any complaint.

We never appreciate our friends sufficiently – until they are gone. May God forgive us – and give Ion the mix of serenity and philosophical exchange which he would want and which he deserves! 

Comments

[Michèle]

I just discovered your fine blog and I find it's a very good thing to developp cultural sites about Romania. We're a french family living in Galati. We try to let people share our new way of life and increase their knowledge of Romania. The blog is presently in french but I wonder if I won't try to translate a part of it.