Friday, January 12th 2024, the University of Bucharest, in collaboration with Șezătoarea București, will organize the debate titled Ana Davila and the canvas of the future. Modernization, philanthropy and feminine experience in the 19th century. The event will take place starting 2 PM in Amphitheatre no. 103 of the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work of the University of Bucharest (no. 90, Șoseaua Panduri) and will mark the debut of a series of events organized by the UB community to celebrate 160 years since the founding of the University of Bucharest, and 330 years of continual academic tradition in Bucharest.
The debate, dedicated to the personality, impact and role that Ana Davila had in Romanian society and education, will bring together UB experts in history, sociology and social work, cultural studies and ethnography, and will highlight the educational and charitable activity at the “Elena Doamna” Asylum, historical monument now belonging to UB patrimony.
Professor Marian Preda, the Rector of the University of Bucharest will open the event, followed by presentations held by professor Laura Grünberg, PhD, professor Călin Cotoi, PhD, Theodora Văcărescu, PhD (the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work), associate professor Andrei Florin Sora, PhD, doctoral student Bianca Elena Șendrea (UB Faculty of History), doctoral student Grațiela Buzic (Doctoral School for Literary and Cultural Studies of the University of Bucharest) and Victoria Bizon (Șezătoarea București). The debate will be moderated by Valentin Maier, researcher at the Museum of the University of Bucharest. The full program of the event is available here.
Deeply engaged in social work activity and the education of young girls, as well as promoter of Romanian traditional clothing and values, Ana Davila was the second wife of physician Carol Davila, and she took over the management and directorate of the asylum for orphan girls founded by the doctor in 1860.
Boarding home and elite school for pauper orphan girls, the institution received its name in 1862, the year it was founded, after the name of ruler Alxandru Ioan Cuza’s wife. Moreover, the friendship between Elena Cuza and Ana Davila.strongly influenced the development of the institution. Elena Cuza has the one to initiate the establishment of an asylum which would host the orphans that the Davila family had gathered in their home, and ensure their right to education. The institution received further support from Queen Elisabeth of Romania, who took particular interest in the Asylum. After 1989, the building became part of the patrimony of the University of Bucharest and the Romanian Orthodox Church, but after 1997 the University of Bucharest became the exclusive owner of the “Elena Doamna” Asylum building.
Since 2019, the former Asylum went through an extensive restoration process supported by the National Company for Investments. With a value of 85.000.000 lei, the investment will allow UB students to study in patrimonial edifices, in class halls, laboratories and modern amphitheaters, which will reflect, at the same time, the patina of the 19th century. According to architects, the staircases, arched hallways, façade and old ceilings will be restored and will maintain all initial architectural specifications.
In 2024, the University of Bucharest will organize a series of events meant to celebrate the university’s 160th anniversary and 330 years of higher education continuity in Bucharest, since the founding, in 1694, of the Princely Academy of Bucharest by ruler Constantin Brâncoveanu.
With a history of 160 years and a constantly confirmed prestige, the University of Bucharest is nowadays a dynamic and inclusive academic space, focused on students and characterized by creativity, innovation and pragmatism.
Comprising 19 faculties, with 95 bachelor programs, 223 master’s programs, 23 doctoral schools on specific fields and an interdisciplinary doctoral school, over 50 centers and 9 research facilities, UB has established itself as an institution dedicated to achieving excellence in education and research, whose priority is preparing its students for life and professional activity.
Starting 2019, UB has been a part of CIVIS – A European Civic University alongside 10 other prestigious European universities: the University of Aix-Marseille, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Sapienza University of Rome, Stockholm University, “Eberhard Karls” University in Tübingen, University of Glasgow, University of Lausanne, the University “Paris Lodron” in Salzburg.