At the opening of the 2023-2024 academic year, the academic community of the Western University of Timișoara had the honor of welcoming a special guest of today's festivities, a reference name in the world of European literature and aesthetics, Mr. Pascal Bruckner. A French novelist and essayist well-known to international circles, a resonant publicist for several prestigious publications, such as Le Nouvel Observateur and Le Monde, Bruckner is known for his in-depth analyzes of politics, society and culture.

During the first event in the morning of this day, the ceremony of awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa Litterarum Humaniorum to the philosopher and writer Pascal Bruckner took place, in recognition of the prominent role he plays, as an exceptional personality of universal culture, reference name in French and international literature and thought.

In his message, publicly transmitted on the occasion of the ceremony, the rector of UVT, prof. Dr. Marilen Gabriel Pirtea emphasized:

"Pascal Bruckner is among the first who had the courage to compare the totalitarianism of the left with the right, at a time when such an approach was likely to stigmatize and isolate, with administrative effects that could be seen in the professional career of to the few who denounced the ravages of communism. We can only applaud the moral and political clarity of the messages of Pascal Bruckner's writings and make him a place in the classroom of our university today. We pay tribute to Pascal Bruckner's person and work for critical and independent thinking, ideological non-regimentation, intellectual courage, moral beauty and the power of literature.

Today, by awarding the title of Doctor Honoris Causa Litterarum Humaniorum, the Western University expresses its gratitude for the example you offer to the younger generation through your work and attitude. We are honored by your presence in Timișoara and we are happy for your integration into our academic community . We wish you, Mr. Pascal Bruckner, health, energy and creativity for many years to come."

The words addressed by the prestigious writer Pascal Bruckner, as a sign of thanks for conferring the title of Doctor Honoris Causa UVT, paid tribute to freedom and intellectual reading, in Timișoara in 2023, when our community carries out the program of the European Capital of Culture:

"First, many thanks for this magnificent award. There is an age for honors and medals. If they are assigned to you too soon, they seem to be due to chance rather than merit. Many authors are known to have been destroyed by an untimely literary prize, knocked down in their enthusiasm and unable to find their inspiration. It rains gratifications on the elderly, perhaps to console them that they have grown old and to thank them that they are about done with life. (…)

The greatest challenge for an artist, an author, a creator is self-renewal. For several years, when I start a book, I return to Baudelaire's prayer: «My God! Give me the grace to create some beautiful verses that will prove to me that I am not the last of people, that I am not inferior to those I despise.»

I add one more phrase to this prayer: Lord, have mercy on me so that I may still be read in Romania, until my last breath!".

In continuation of today's program, the academic community of UVT participated in the Opening Ceremony of the academic year, a long-awaited and emotional ceremonial moment, especially for the first-year students. During this celebration, Mr. Pascal Bruckner addressed the UVT community and the guests present in the Aula Magna, making a plea in favor of critical thinking and education.

UVT invited the writer Pascal Bruckner to give a public conference, this being a new memorable event. The prestigious guest will share his fascinating thoughts and insights in an engaging conference entitled "Europe loved fairy tales too much”, a dialogue that promises to challenge us to reflect and inspire us, moderated by professor Vasile Popovici. The conference will be held at "Mihai Eminescu" National Theater in Timișoara, tonight, from 18 p.m.

The event is part of the cultural program "At UVT, Culture is Capital!", included in the Cultural Program "Timișoara 2023 - European Capital of Culture", Oameni territory, Reflectiņi station, financed by the Municipality of Timișoara through the Project Center, co-financed by the Timiș County Council , through the TimCultura 2023 program. This event is carried out with the support of partners: BCR, CTP, Linde and Bioclinica.

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The Opening Ceremony of the 2023-2024 academic year can be followed in this VIDEO.

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