Grigore Băjenaru

Grigore Popescu-Băjenaru (Romanian pronunciation: [ɡriˈɡore poˈpesku bəʒeˈnaru]; December 13, 1907 – February 5, 1986) was a Romanian writer. His best known novel is Cișmigiu et Comp., that presents his adventures as a student of Gheorghe Lazăr High School, situated near the Cișmigiu Gardens in central Bucharest, in the interwar period. It was a best-seller for several decades, and still popular among high school students. Its sequel is Bună dimineața, băieți!, presenting moments from his career as a teacher.

Life

He was born in Periș, near Bucharest. After attending high school, he studied literature and philosophy at the University of Bucharest. He worked as a teacher at several private and state schools, and later took administrative jobs at Bucharest City Hall, the Astronomical Observatory and at the Art Gallery.

Selected works

Novels:

• Cişmigiu et Comp., 1942
• Bună dimineaţa, băieţi!, 1973 ("Good morning, boys!")
• Mici povestiri despre oameni mari, 1981 ("Short stories about grand people")

Historical writings:

• Banul Mărăcine, 1967 ("Lord Brushwood")
• Inelul lui Dragoş-Vodă, 1968 ("The ring of Prince Dragoş")
• Măreţul rege Burebista, 1980 ("Mighty king Burebista")

Collections of fairy tales and legends:

• Orologiul împăratului, 1957 ("The Emperor's clock")
• Vârful cu dor, 1973 ("Summit of Longing")
• Grădina înţelepţilor, 1975 ("Garden of the Wise Ones")

References

• Grigore Băjenaru, crispedia.ro (in Romanian)
• Romanul lăzăriștilor, tipărit cu banii pentru o mașină, jurnalul.ro (in Romanian)