In celebration of the International Day of La Francophonie, with this year’s theme "La Francophonie au Féminin," the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing, in partnership with the Embassy of France and the Institut Français, is honored to invite you to the opening of the exhibition "Portraits de femmes roumaines francophones illustres" (Portraits of Illustrious Romanian Francophone Women). The event will take place on Thursday, March 20, starting at 11:00 AM, at the ICR Beijing headquarters in Galaxy SOHO.
The exhibition highlights the lives and works of famous Romanian women who expressed themselves in French, whose contributions have left a profound mark on 20th-century international culture. Through a selection of rare photographs and documents, this exhibition presents to the Chinese public the influence of these artists, writers, and activists in art, literature, music, dance, etc., revealing their intellectual world and their creative sensibility.
Among the personalities presented, visitors will have the opportunity to discover:
• Maria Tănase, dubbed the "Édith Piaf of Romania," whose voice and music transcended national boundaries, becoming a symbol of Romanian cultural identity.
• Ana de Noailles (1876–1933) – A descendant of the prestigious Brâncoveanu family, Ana de Noailles was the first woman distinguished with the title of Commander of the Legion of Honour and a member of the French, Romanian, and Belgian Academies. An emblematic figure of French literature from the Belle Époque period, she was admired by Marcel Proust, Jean Cocteau, and André Gide for the deep lyricism and stylistic refinement of her work.
• Elvira Popescu (1894–1993) – One of the greatest theater and film actresses in France, known as "La Popesco," co-director of Théâtre de Paris.
• Maria Cantacuzino (1878–1968) – A Romanian aristocrat and patroness known for promoting Romanian culture in France. She supported artists and writers, facilitating cultural exchanges between Romania and Parisian intellectual circles. The wife of the painter Puvis de Chavannes, she served as a model for the painting depicting Saint Genevieve, the patroness of Paris, which adorns the interior walls of the Pantheon.
• Martha Bibescu (1886–1973) – A writer, diplomat, and member of the French Academy, recognized for the elegance of her literary style and for her influence in European political and cultural circles. She was a key figure in promoting Franco-Romanian cultural relations, maintaining close ties with the intellectual elites of France and Europe.
• Lizica Codreanu (1901–1993) – An avant-garde dancer and choreographer, active in interwar Paris, known for her collaboration with Constantin Brâncuși and for her innovative performances combining movement, visual art, and modernist aesthetics. She played a major role in Parisian artistic circles, contributing to the development of contemporary dance and corporeal expressionism.
• Elena Văcărescu (1864–1947) – A poetess, novelist, and translator, member of the French Academy and a two-time winner of the French Academy Prize. She played a key role in promoting Romanian culture in France.
• Maria Ventura (1886–1954) – A Romanian-French theater actress, famous for her career at the Comédie-Française, where she became one of the greatest interpreters of classical and modern drama. She played an essential role in promoting French theater and was praised for her dramatic talent and remarkable stage presence.
• Geta Brătescu (1926–2018) – A conceptual and visual artist, a central figure in Eastern European avant-garde. Known for her interdisciplinary exploration of drawing, collage, and installation, she exhibited at the Centre Pompidou, the Venice Biennale, MoMA, and Tate Modern. She is considered a pioneer of feminist art and postwar conceptualism.
• Magdalena Rădulescu (1902–1983) – A Romanian-born painter who settled in France, representing modernist expressionism, influenced by Romanian folklore and European avant-garde. She studied at the Julian Academy in Paris and exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Salon des Indépendants and the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery. Her artistic legacy is considered one of the most original Romanian contributions to modern European painting.
• Hariclea Darclée (1860–1939) – An internationally renowned Romanian soprano, considered one of the great voices of 19th and 20th-century European opera. She made her debut at the Opera in Paris in Faust (1888), quickly establishing herself on the world’s major stages. She was the first to perform the role of Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (1900, Rome) and collaborated with renowned composers such as Verdi, Puccini, and Massenet.
• Mitza Bricard (1890–1977) – A Romanian-born fashion designer in France, considered the muse and artistic advisor of Christian Dior. She played a crucial role in defining the Dior house's style, recognized for her eccentric elegance and aristocratic refinement.
• Leontina Văduva (born in 1960) – An internationally acclaimed Romanian soprano, residing in France. She made her debut at the Toulouse Opera and quickly became a major presence on major lyric stages, including the Opéra Bastille in Paris, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
• Aida Vrioni – A Romanian journalist and writer, known for her contributions to the interwar press and for promoting women’s rights in Romania.
• Alexandrina Cantacuzino – A feminist activist and philanthropist, leader of the movement for the emancipation of women, and founder of several social and cultural organizations.
• Ana Kretzulescu-Lahovary – A Romanian aristocrat involved in charitable and diplomatic activities, playing a significant role in the social and cultural life of her era.
The exhibition is composed of photographic documents from the National Archives of Romania, with the kind assistance of Ms. A. Monica Negru, Service of Documentation, Publications, and Scientific Research of the National Archives of Romania, and is curated by Senior Relations Officer Andreea-Ema Stoian.
The exhibition will be open to the public from March 20 to April 20 and can be visited Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the ICR Beijing headquarters in Galaxy SOHO.
The event ensures the continuity and enrichment of the institute’s space while attracting new visitors. Information will be presented in Romanian, English, French, and Chinese.
The celebration of the International Day of La Francophonie will continue in the evening, from 6:30 PM, with a screening of the film Moon Hotel Kabul (2018, directed by Anca Damian), supported by ICR Beijing as part of this year’s edition of the Rencontres du Cinéma Francophone Festival, with a series of ten screenings in four cities in China—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenyang—between March 14-31, 2025.
Moon Hotel Kabul (2018), directed by Anca Damian, is a dramatic fiction film that questions the boundary between truth and fiction, both in journalism and in personal life. The protagonist, Ivan Semciuc (played by Florin Piersic Jr.), is an investigative journalist known for subtly manipulating reality in his reports. However, when he uncovers the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of a woman with whom he had a brief affair (played by Ofelia Popii), he faces an existential crisis. As he digs deeper into the investigation, the line between perception and reality becomes increasingly blurred, forcing Ivan to reconsider his own ethical beliefs. The film explores themes such as morality, responsibility, and the price of knowledge, supported by outstanding performances from Adrian Titieni, Ilona Brezoianu, Florin Ghioca, and Lia Marin.
Anca Damian is a Romanian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer based in France, recognized for her innovative approach to cinema, blending animation, fiction, and documentary. She made her feature debut with Crossing Dates(2008), and the animated documentary Crulic – The Path to Beyond (2011) won multiple awards at prestigious festivals, including Locarno and Annecy. Her impressive filmography includes A Very Unsettled Summer (2013/14), The Magic Mountain (2015), Perfectly Healthy (2016), Moon Hotel Kabul (2018)—awarded Best Director at the Warsaw International Film Festival—as well as the short films Carré (2016) and The Call (2018). Her works have been selected for major film festivals such as Pusan, Chicago, Göteborg, Cottbus, Locarno, London, Annecy, Toronto, Goa, Rome, Warsaw, and Copenhagen. In 2019, her short film The Call was part of the official selection at the Sundance Film Festival and was also screened at the first edition of the Romanian Film Festival in China, organized by ICR Beijing in December 2024 at UCCA.
The invitation is non-transferable. For more information, you can contact us at ema.stoian@icr.ro.
The entrance for the evening screening is free and does not need registration.
We look forward to seeing you!
