How many of you know that statues can whisper secrets of the past? Right here we see the Nicolae Bălcescu Statue. It stands as a reminder of a man who dared to dream of a unified and free Romania.
Nicolae Bălcescu was more than just a historian. He was also a writer and a revolutionary. He participated in the Revolution of 1848. Bălcescu’s life was short but impactful. He died at the young age of 33.
Born in Bucharest in 1819 as Nicolae Petrescu he adopted his mother’s maiden name Bălcescu. This statue commemorates his contributions to Romanian history.
As a boy, Nicolae studied at Saint Sava College. He developed a passion for history early in life. At 17 he joined the Wallachian Army. In 1840 he was part of a conspiracy against Prince Alexandru II Ghica. The plot failed. Bălcescu was imprisoned for two years.
Imprisonment conditions led to him contracting tuberculosis. This illness marked his health and contributed to his early death. After his release he helped form a secret society called Frăția. This group resisted Prince Gheorghe Bibescu.
To further his studies, Bălcescu traveled to France and Italy. He co-edited the magazine Magazin istoric pentru Dacia with August Treboniu Laurian. In 1844 he published an essay. It argued for a strong military to ensure self-determination.
In Paris he led the Society of Romanian Students. This group united Wallachians and Moldavians. Members included Ion Brătianu and Mihail Kogălniceanu.
Magazin istoric published early sources on Wallachian and Moldavian history. Bălcescu wrote about the social status of ploughmen arguing for land reform. Karl Marx later referenced this work.
In 1848 Bălcescu returned to Bucharest. He took part in the revolution. For two days he served in the provisional government. He advocated for universal suffrage and land reform. These ideas were not shared by all revolutionaries.
Arrested by Ottoman authorities Bălcescu sought refuge in Transylvania. Habsburg authorities expelled him. They saw him as a threat.
In 1849 Bălcescu was in Istanbul. He mediated between Hungarian revolutionaries and Avram Iancu’s Romanian forces. Although celebrated by some Bălcescu viewed the peace offering as unsatisfactory.
Bălcescu’s most important work is Românii supt Mihai-Voievod Viteazul. It is about Michael the Brave. It shows Bălcescu’s commitment to radicalism and nationalism. He praised Michael’s gestures. He also criticized his support of serfdom.
During his final years Bălcescu published extensively. He collaborated with Adam Mickiewicz. Tuberculosis weakened him. He moved between France and Italy. He died in Palermo at 33.
Nicolae Bălcescu never married. He had a son named Bonifaciu Florescu with Alexandra Florescu. Bonifaciu became a professor of French.
Even after his death the Romanian government nationalized his properties. His remains are still in Palermo Italy.
The bust of Nicolae Bălcescu you see here was created by Constantin Baraschi. It was placed in 1943. It is one of twelve busts in Cișmigiu Garden’s Writers’ Rotunda. The bust portrays Bălcescu as old and thoughtful. He may have died young but his thoughts live on.
So as you stand before the Nicolae Bălcescu Statue remember his fight for freedom. Remember his dedication to Romanian unity. Let this monument inspire you to pursue your own dreams no matter how difficult.