National Culture Day 2025
A tour-de-force starring Simona Măicănescu & Mircea Florian
About the Event
Join us in celebration of our National Culture Day with The Retreat, a tour-de-force one-woman show based on a work by legendary Marin Sorescu, one of Romania’s most revered literary voices, starring inimitable Simona Măicănescu in a spellbinding performance, with live musical interludes by multi-instrumentalist and multimedia artist Mircea Florian. A show produced and presented by the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York in partnership with The Embassy of Romania to the United States and the General Consulate of Romania in Vancouver.
The Retreat, inspired by Viziunea vizuinii (The Vision of the Burrow) and created especially for this North American tour - with stops in New York, Washington, D.C. and Vancouver, British Columbia - weaves a poignant and darkly comic metaphor for the absurdity of our modern time. The show masterfully captures the complexities of Sorescu’s vision, immersing the audience in a dazzling display of artistry, where Romania’s rich cultural heritage meets the pulse of contemporary global theater.
Măicănescu channels Sorescu’s biting wit and profound humanity, breathing life into a story that is both universal and deeply personal. With a stunning blend of drama, humor, and piercing insight, she and Florian take us on a journey that reflects the perilous nonsensicalities of our times while offering glimpses of hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
When & Where
Thursday, January 16, Washington, D.C.: National Press Club - Fourth Estate Room, 7 pm
With introductory remarks by Ambassador Andrei Muraru and Mr. Liviu Jicman, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute and of EUNIC Global
Friday, January 17, New York: Romanian Cultural Institute, 7 pm
With introductory remarks Mr. Liviu Jicman, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute and of EUNIC Global, and Mr. Dorian Branea, Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York / RSVP
Sunday, January 19, Vancouver, British Columbia: Firehall Arts Center, 6 pm
With introductory remarks by Mr. Gabriel Rotaru, Consul General of Romania to Vancouver / RSVP
Meet the Performers
SIMONA MĂICĂNESCU is a renowned Romanian actress celebrated for her dynamic and deeply nuanced performances on stage and screen. With a career spanning decades, Măicănescu has garnered acclaim both in Romania and internationally, performing in prestigious theaters across Europe, the United States, and beyond. She is known for her exceptional versatility, seamlessly moving between classical, contemporary, and experimental works. Her collaborations with celebrated directors and playwrights have solidified her reputation as a compelling and fearless performer. Whether commanding the stage in one-woman shows or contributing to ensemble pieces, Măicănescu captivates audiences with her intensity and emotional depth. Her talent extends to film and television, where she has delivered memorable roles that showcase her range and charisma.
MIRCEA FLORIAN is a much-admired Romanian musician, composer, and multidisciplinary artist whose innovative work has left an indelible mark on Romania’s cultural landscape. Known for his eclectic style and experimental approach, Florian effortlessly blends folk traditions with avant-garde and electronic elements, creating a sound uniquely his own. Emerging during the 1970s, Florian became a pioneer in Romanian progressive music, challenging conventions and pushing boundaries. His ability to fuse traditional instruments and motifs with modern techniques reflects his deep respect for Romania’s heritage while embracing a forward-thinking artistic vision. In addition to his music, Florian is a prolific visual artist, poet, and cultural theorist.
About Viziunea vizuinii (The Vision of the Burrow) by Marin Sorescu
Marin Sorescu’s Viziunea vizuinii is a profound exploration of human existence, encapsulated through a layered metaphor that reflects on themes of isolation, introspection, and the search for meaning in a chaotic and often absurd world. At its core, the work delves into the paradox of the human condition: the simultaneous desire for connection and withdrawal, for discovery and self-containment. Sorescu masterfully employs his characteristic blend of irony, humor, and philosophical musings to construct a narrative that feels universal yet deeply personal.
The “burrow” can be interpreted as both a physical and symbolic space. It represents a refuge from the external world’s pressures and absurdities, but also a prison of one’s own making—an echo chamber of fears, doubts, and unfulfilled desires. The protagonist’s “vision” from within this burrow becomes a mirror for humanity’s struggle to make sense of a nonsensical reality.
Sorescu’s style in Viziunea vizuinii is both playful and profound, rich in wordplay and paradox. He layers existential questions with sharp societal critique, capturing the surreal and often paradoxical nature of modern life. His reflections touch on themes of alienation, the collapse of logic in a disordered world, and the enduring hope that clarity—or “vision”—can emerge even from within the darkest corners of the “burrow.”
Ultimately, Viziunea vizuinii is a meditation on the human spirit’s resilience and the necessity of introspection in confronting the absurd. It challenges readers to look inward, to find meaning amidst chaos, and to reconcile the contradictions of existence with humor, depth, and hope. Sorescu’s vision is one that speaks across boundaries, offering timeless insights into the human experience.
