Her Excellency Laura Popescu, Romania’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, has recently visited the University of Cambridge to mark the establishment of a Romanian Language Lectureship at the prestigious academic institution. It is the second such lectureship in a British university, following the one opened at Oxford in 2012.
During her visit, Ambassador Popescu met with Professor John David Rhodes, Co-Chair of the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics, Professor Ioanna Sitaridou, and the new Romanian language lecturer, Dr. Ștefania Costea.
On this occasion, the Ambassador expressed her deep appreciation to the University of Cambridge for its openness and willingness to collaborate in realizing this initiative of the Romanian Embassy in London.
The lectureship is funded by the Romanian state through the Romanian Language Institute (RLI), led by Professor Daiana Theodora Cuibus, whom the Embassy thanked for her ongoing support and involvement.
Romanian Language Lectureship at Cambridge
The Romanian Language Lectureship at Cambridge will be coordinated by Dr. Ștefania Costea, who completed her master’s and doctoral studies at the same university’s Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics under the supervision of Professor Adam Ledgeway, a linguist known for his essential contribution to Romanian language studies at Cambridge.
Dr. Costea’s research focuses on comparative diachronic syntax and language contact. In 2023, she was awarded the Cambridge SU Student-Led Teaching Award for Small-Group Teaching (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences), in recognition of her teaching excellence.
“The lectureship aims to offer Cambridge students and faculty the opportunity to discover the Romanian language and the richness of Romanian culture, art, literature, and cinema,” said Dr. Ștefania Costea.
Academic and Cultural Offer
The lectureship will host Romanian language courses (beginner and intermediate levels) and cultural events dedicated to promoting Romanian language and culture within the British academic environment.
Among the initiatives:
- Open Courses in Romanian (Beginner & Intermediate). Weekly 2-hour classes during Michaelmas and Lent, with an optional conversation/consolidation hour each week.
- Romanian Seminars. Short lectures and discussions on Romanian language, film, literature, history and the contemporary arts.
- Romanian Movie Night. Weekly screenings offering a window onto Romanian society and culture across periods.
The courses are open to all University members and are designed to be accessible and interactive. Registration details and schedules will be available on the institution’s website.
For more information about courses or activities, Dr. Ștefania Costea can be contacted at [email protected].
Photo: Facebook / Ambasada României în Regatul Unit al Marii Britanii și Irlandei de Nord
