This February, the Romanian Cultural Institute in London invites audiences to an exceptional interdisciplinary evening celebrating the life, legacy and radical spirit of George Sand, the iconic French writer and one of the defining figures of European Romanticism. Our special guests are British authors Fiona Sampson and Alex Christofi, joined by pianist Alexandru Negriuc.
The event marks the launch of “Becoming George: the invention of George Sand”, the much-anticipated new biography by acclaimed British poet and biographer Fiona Sampson, published by Penguin to mark Sand’s 150th anniversary. A long-standing supporter of Romanian literature in the UK, Sampson re-examines George Sand beyond myth and scandal, restoring her to her rightful place as a central voice of 19th-century European culture.
Conceived as a vibrant meeting point of literature, music and historical reflection, the evening proposes a creative dialogue between cultures, while paying tribute to one of the most influential female writers of her time. At its heart is a live conversation between Fiona Sampson and Alex Christofi - editor of “Becoming George” and author of the acclaimed biography “Dostoevsky in Love”. The discussion will be interwoven with selected readings from the book, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into Sand’s intellectual world and nonconformist life.
The literary dialogue is complemented by a piano recital performed by Alexandru Negriuc, whose refined interpretations of the Romantic repertoire add a powerful musical dimension to the evening. Through a specially curated programme, the Romanian pianist will evoke the intense artistic and emotional bond between George Sand and Frédéric Chopin, performing works written around the time of their shared life journey.
The recital also shines a light on Carl Filtsch, the gifted Romanian composer and Chopin protégé whose life was tragically cut short at only 15. Rarely performed today, Filtsch’s music - particularly the Impromptu in G-flat major, composed as a homework assignment for Chopin - adds a poignant and revelatory layer to the programme.
This event is both a homage to George Sand as a pioneering feminist and ecological voice and a celebration of transnational cultural exchange, bringing together Romania, the UK and the wider European Romantic tradition in one compelling evening. An unmissable encounter for lovers of literature, music and cultural history! Organised with the kind support of Penguin Random House.
Free access, book HERE
