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.

He died in Craiova.

Selected works

Novels:

• Cișmigiu et Comp., 1942
• Bună dimineața, băieți!, 1973 ("Good morning, boys!")
• Mici povestiri despre oameni mari, 1981 ("Short stories about great people")

Historical writings:

• Banul Mărăcine, 1967 ("Lord Brushwood")
• Inelul lui Dragoș-Vodă, 1968 ("The ring of Prince Dragoș")
• Taina lui Mircea Voievod, 1970
• Mărețul 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 înțelepților, 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)