Costache Conachi | |
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Born | Alexandru Conachi[1] September 14, 1778Julian September 25, 1778 Țigănești, Tecuci County, Moldavia actually Galați County |
Died | February 16, 1849 (aged 70) Țigănești, Tecuci County, Moldavia, actually Galați County | February 4, 1849Julian
Other names | Conaki, Konaki |
Occupation | Writer, poet, boyar, politician |
Known for | precursor of modern Romanian poetry[2] |
Title | Logothete |
Spouse(s) |
Smaranda (Zulnia) Donici Negre
(m. 1828; died 1831) |
Children | Ecaterina Cocuța Conachi (b. Aug. 17, 1828) |
Parent(s) | |
Family | Conachi family |
Awards | Order of St. Vladimir 3rd class (Russian Empire)[2] |
Costache Conachi (Romanian pronunciation: [kosˈtake koˈnaki]; b. September 14/25, 1778, Țigănești, Tecuci County, Moldavia – d. February 4/16, 1849, Țigănești, Tecuci County, Moldavia, actually Galați County, Romania) was a Romanian boyar, politician, poet and writer noted for emphasizing reason and improving the craft of Romanian writing.[4]
Born as a member of the Conachi family, he was an affluent boyar from Moldavia.[5] If the Paharnicul Constantin Sion writes that the "Konaki family" is of Greek origin, "but for more than 160 years they came and have been related to many of the big [local] families", Paul Păltănea brought documents "which implies that the Conachi family descends from a family of "răzeși"[n 1] from the village of Știoborăni,[n 2] with documentary attestation from the time of Ștefăniță Vodă (1517-1527) or even of Stephen the Great (1457-1504). The female line of the family is also of 'răzeși'."[6]: 13
As a child, Costache Conachi's education was the object of the most enlightened care. He was initiated into the finer points of Greek by a Greek archimandrite who lived in his father's house. A Turkish schoolmaster taught him his language and he learned French alongside a refugee revolutionary - Mr. Fleury.[7]: 391 At the Princely Academy of Iași, he studied modern Greek, Slavonic, philosophy, mathematics and law. He had undeniable aptitude for the profession of engineer and his in-depth knowledge of Moldavian law was to make him an indispensable man at a time when problems of organization and legislation were brought to the fore. He participated in the drafting of the Callimachi code[n 3] which he had translated into Romanian when he became Logothete and, later, he was part of the commission in charge of drafting the "Regulamentul Organic".[7]: 392
Great boyar and great landowner, a contradictory figure at the time because he pleaded for the illumination of the people, he proposed a project to reform the education in Moldavia on the principle "The study must have a moral purpose".[8]
All the data about Costache Conachi, corroborated with the testimonies of reliable foreign observers, highlight his culture, seriousness, tact and frugality - rare qualities in the corrupt and ignorant environment of the boyar oligarchy in the time of the phanariots. His sober existence contrasted too violently with the habits of his time and foreigners have understood this best. In the well-documented memoir he wrote in 1834, the French consular agent Bois le Comte[n 4] depicts him as follows: „Under soft, caressing and shy forms, he hides instruction, a rather delicate spirit“. Another French consular agent is of the same opinion and praises the political prudence of the Grand Boyar. As for Saint-Marc Girardin, he discovered in Conachi „a figure such as I imagine those of the eighteenth century: something mocking and sardonic; but his sarcasm was directed against vice“.[7]: 391
Preoccupied with astronomy, he bought from Vienna all the instruments necessary to establish an observation tower, including a telescope, bequeathed to the Society of Physicians and Naturalists; as a "geometer and boundary marker" he established boundaries and drew up plans of the boyars' estates[2]
In the literary field, Costache Conachi is regarded by many as the first true Romanian poet of his time. He is credited with infusing eroticism into Romanian poetry. Although he lived and worked in an era of Romanian literature that is hazy at best, his name is not easily forgotten.[9]
Coming from a wealthy family, Conachi had access to readings on foreign cultures and the works of great authors. This foundation of knowledge shaped his poems. It resulted in verses in Romanian marked with unprecedented elements such as eroticism.[9]
The great logothete Costache Conachi died on February 4, 1849, being buried next to his wife, in the Banu Church cemetery. Later, the remains of Costache Conachi and his wife were transported to Țigănești, near the church he had founded.[10]
Poetry
Translations