Professor Ștefan S. Gorovei at 76
For those Romanians who are part of the small community of lovers of the auxiliary sciences of history, the date of July 28 has a special significance. Not because, on this day, some historical emblem was established, or some decoration was handed out for the first time, or a flag was raised over a position captured from the enemy; no. On July 28, 1948, an extraordinary man was born, to whom historical research in general, and particularly heraldry and genealogy, owe a great deal: Dr Ștefan S. Gorovei, university professor at the Faculty of History of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, and member of the International Academy of Genealogy.
Professor Ștefan S. Gorovei when awarded the honorary citizenship of Iași
I will not dwell on his career, nor on the multiple directions of research reflected in Professor Gorovei's vast work (chronology, the history of the state, the church, social relations, monuments, mentalities, etc.). A veteran of the Commission of Heraldry, Genealogy, and Sigillography of the Romanian Academy (since 1971, when it operated alongside the “Nicolae Iorga” Institute of History in Bucharest), Professor Gorovei has become, in the post-December period, the most well-known promoter of genealogical and heraldic research in Iași and—I don't think I'm wrong in saying this!—in all of Romania.
After organizing the thematic symposium “Genealogy and History” in 1989, within the “A. D. Xenopol” Institute of History and Archaeology in Iași, the political change of that year allowed him to channel local energies towards the establishment, in 1993, of the Iași Branch of the Commission of Heraldry, Genealogy, and Sigillography—a distinguished study group that, since 1994, has published the “Genealogical Archive” journal, later organizing a long series of scientific meetings: six symposiums (between 1991 and 1996), and ten national congresses of heraldry (between 1997 and 2018), along with the International Colloquium of Genealogy in 2007, held in Iași. At the same time, driven by the desire to realize an older dream of interwar genealogical research, Professor Gorovei achieved the establishment, in 1998, of the “Sever Zotta” Romanian Institute of Genealogy and Heraldry in Iași.
Those who had the chance to participate in the Genealogical and Heraldic Congresses, or other meetings organized or inspired by Professor Gorovei, can testify to the immense service he has brought to the auxiliary sciences of history through his dedication and professionalism. A driving force in this field of research, organizer of impactful debates on public symbols, advocate for strengthening ties between Romanians separated by borders, sincere patriot, Professor Gorovei is a living example of professionalism in academic research, his oratory talent being matched only by the strength and method of his written work.
For almost half a century, since the appearance of his study dedicated to the beginnings of princely heraldry east of the Carpathians, “Les armoiries de la Moldavie et de ses princes régnants (XIV-XVI siècle)”, Professor Gorovei has dedicated many works to heraldic research, illustrating themes such as the dynastic insignia of Moldavian rulers, administrative-territorial insignia, Byzantine insignia and their tradition in Moldavian-Wallachian state heraldry, etc. Beyond what has been written, the fact that the Genealogical and Heraldic Congresses always included a section dedicated to heraldry allowed its enthusiasts to get to know each other, share their research results, and even become friends! And I can assure anyone that, in those challenging days, when the pandemic has imposed so many restrictions on us all, the memory of the meetings I attended in Iași, starting with the distant year of 1997, is a precious balm...
For all this, it is fitting to wish Professor Gorovei a most happy birthday!, hoping to see him again in the future, in our midst, at the heraldry and genealogy meetings in Iași.
Arms of Professor Ștefan S. Gorovei painted by Tudor-Radu Tiron
