A cultural dialogue

Columnist Ansar Mahmood Bhatti does the review of the Romanian Ambassador’s book.

 

Pakistan-Romania

Dr. Emil Ghitulescu,

Published by Hurmat

Publications Isb.

Price Rs. 300/-

Prof Dr Emil Ghitulescu, the Ambassador of Romania has published his third book in English from Pakistan. The book was formally launched in Islamabad at a sumptuous ceremony few days ago. The book contains some of his essays, articles, along with comments from various important personalities of Pakistan and also a collection of interviews and commentaries published in various newspapers and magazines in Pakistan, throwing light on different aspects of his personality as a diplomat, journalist and writer. Dr Emil is popularly known in Pakistan for his previous books ‘Iqbal-Eminescu: A dialogue between civilizations’ and ‘Universal values of Pakistan and Romania’

The Romanian Ambassador in his remarks at the launching ceremony of the book said, ‘this book is a tribute to the cordial and friendly affiliations he enjoyed while being in Pakistan. As a diplomat we have to perform many important duties and work for the betterment of relationship between the country we represent and the country where we are based for the performance of official duties’. He, on the occasion, also paid fulsome tributes to those who had contributed towards the successful launch of the book.

Dr. Emil is a versatile personality. He has precise mastery over global affairs that is why his works are enriched not only with gems of wit but also with comments that ultimately spread enlightenment. This scribe has the privilege to conduct the first-ever interview of Mr. Emil, when he came to Pakistan as an Ambassador.

Romania and Pakistan are blessed with a very rich culture moulded through their colourful history by the contribution of various influences. I visited the Museums of Lahore and I was deeply impressed by Pakistani art works. I remember now only the great painters M.A. Kahmar Chaughtai, national artist of Pakistan and Ustad Allah Bux, were the impressions of Dr. Emil upon his arrival in Pakistan.

Dr. Emil would be remembered not only as an envoy of peace and tolerance among nations, but also for his dedication to Pakistani literature, and his research on Iqbal, the poet philosopher of Pakistan. In a message of appreciation printed in the book, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali termed the book as ‘Cultural Diplomacy’ of bringing the people of Romania and Pakistan together by highlighting the ideas of liberty, justices and progress. Likewise, Dr Javed Iqbal has called Dr. Emil a rare combination of diplomat and intellectual in the contemporary times. He stressed the need to encourage such humanistic effort of Dr Emil in bringing the two nations even more closer.

The book carries many articles written by Dr Emil in various topics, covering his stay in different countries, creating a unique cultural bond between different languages and civilizations. His messages of peace, tolerance and reconciliation will go down in the history for introducing Romania to the world and seek its important place in a new Europe.

In one of his essays Dr Emil writes, ‘Tolerance is the best armour one can have to be able to live and enjoy life. Tolerance means understanding faults and appreciating merits. Tolerance is needed to reach objective. Tolerance means democracy’. In another article titled ‘Romania seeks its new place in new Europe’, he says, ‘Romanian endeavours to get closer to and eventually to integrate itself with the enduring pillars of Western European stability, the Western political, economic and security structures, is motivated by Romania’s willingness to integrate the most democratic societies and to make them benefit from its newly acquired strategic significance by pooling their assets together with those of likeminded countries’.

Apart from his books written on Allama Iqbal and Eminescu, and the universal values of Romania and Pakistan, Dr Emil has also written a monography of V Alecsandri, one of the greatest Romanian writers, as well as several university textbooks. He has also developed a special course for Romanian culture and civilization. Dr. Emil has also written over 600 studies, articles, and interviews regarding the values of Romanian culture and civilization.

Dr. Emil has dedicated a part of his book to the great Pakistani poet, Allama Iqbal. He has reproduced his articles, impressions published in the Pakistani press about Allama Iqbal. ‘Allama Iqbal wanted to create a strong character in the Muslim youths through his ‘Phalsafa-e-Khuti’. He rekindled the flame of freedom and awakened the Muslims of sub-continent through his fiery poetry. By all his works, Iqbal may be called the poet for the glory of Islam and unity of Muslims’. In a nutshell, the book has encompassed precisely various dimensions of clash of civilizations. The author has also dilated upon comprehensively, the dynamics of emerging world order. His special focus on strengthening Pakistan and Romania’s bilateral relations also needs immediate applause.