The French writer Pascal Bruckner received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Western University of Timisoara

The French writer and essayist Pascal Bruckner received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Western University of Timisoara. Invited at several prestigious educational institutions, Bruckner also attended the opening of the academic year, and in his speech he spoke to the audience about his first interaction with Romania in 1990 and what he saw on the streets of the capital, in a country then affected by regime change.

Pascal Bruckner: I remember one thing from that day in Bucharest, the contrast between the shabby capital and the warmth of the hosts who welcomed us. One by one, two feelings could be seen on the faces: fear and hope. The faces were tense, people were lurking, they were still afraid of a coup d'état, of the return of the dreaded Security, and they looked inquisitively at the rare cars that were driving around, today collector cars.

The statement of the French writer, Pascal Bruckner, was recorded by colleagues from Radio Romania Timisoara.

Translated by: Radu Matei