The directory «Plots»
Vangheli Spiridon
(b. 1932)
Tales
Spiridon Vangheli was born on June 14, 1932 in a family of peasants from Grinăuţi, Bălţi county in Moldova. He attended primary school in his native village. His mother died when he was only 12 years old. „At that moment my childhood and adolescence came to the end and next day I found myself harnessed to the heavy cart of life," these are the words uttered later by the writer.
The year of 1944. Spiridon Vangheli's father, one of the most hard working men from the village (owner of a thresher, 20 hectares of land with two children study-ing at High School) was constantly harassed and threatened by NKVD and by those villagers who came to power over night.
The troubles of the father made his children (who ploughed and mowed from the age of 10-11) keenly aware of the essence of the soviet power. Therefore, when Vangheli became a famous writer and he was asked to join the Communist Party, he refused this proposal.
Since their mother's death, nothing could really make the children come home, they used to spend many nights in the hut from Săraturi — a bright oasis in the о writer's childhood. It wasn't very far from the village and the children hâd their own garden, vineyard, well and melonfield there.
In 1946 the future writer of „Guguţă" left the hut and began his studies in the fifth grade at School Noi from Bălţi. 1947 — the year of famine. Among those who came to find their destiny in Bălti, more shadows than human beings, there was also the shadow of Spiridon Vangheli, pupil in the fifth grade.
In the autumn 1948 he left the school from Bălţi and came backhome. In half a year he continued his studies in the sixth grade in Pelinia village located near Grinăuti village.
Spiridon was promoted, but he left this school again. Finding an old crock of a camera, he became a „famous" photographer in the village.
In the long run he came back to school and finished the eighth grade. After that he took all exams foreseen for the ninth grade during summer and was admitted directly into the tenth grade. After finishing high school he worked only one day at the school from Sângerenii Noi. The two local teachers couldn't share the working hours and quarreled a lot, so he gave them his classes and went away.
The next point of departure was the Teachers' Training Institute from Bălti. At his arrival, rector Maclovici told him that the admission exams hâd been finished a month before so that he was late to apply that year. But at the second thought the rector said he would admit him if he took all the exams on the same day, and he passed them excellently. The next day at about 4 p.m. Vangheli was already a student at the philology department.
Half a year later he decided to transfer to the Teachers' Training Institute from Chişinău. Mr. Maclovici didn't want to let him go, but at the end he yielded.
In March 1952 he became a student at the Teachers' Training Institute from Chişinău. He inaugurated the Literary Page of the Institute, also laying the founda tions of the well-known Literary Circle which brought together such famous writers of today as: Grigore Vieru, Victor Teleucă, Gheorghe Vodă, Pavel Boţu, Mihail Ion Ciubotaru, Andrei Strâmbeanu, Serafim Saca, Valentin Mândâcanu. This literary circle was the starting point for the actor and film producer Ion Ungureanu.
In the summer of 1955 Spiridon Vangheli married Eleonora Popa, his faculty colleague and soul mate.
After graduation he was recommended for the post-graduate courses at the Institute of Uterature from Moscow. Hence, he packed up, but on his way to Moscow, he was enrolled in the Army against his will and taken to the far lands of Siberia. That was the thing he was afraid of in his childhood and he couldn't avoid it.
28 months later he came back to his motherland but he wouldn't hear of the post-graduate courses any more. So he worked for two years at the secondary school from Năpădeni, the native village of his wife. In 1960 he retumed to Chişinău, but at that time as editor at the „Lumina" Publishing House.
1962— compelling recognition with his first book for children „In ţara fluturilor"
(In the Country of Butterflies).
1963— he published his second book „Soarele" (The Sun), as well as some
prose in the collections: „Cele mai frumoase flori" (The Most Beautiful Flowers) and
„Cine-a spus că-s mititel?" (Who Said I Am Little?).
1964_ he published the book „Băieţelul din coliba albastră" (The Small Boy
From The Blue Hovel), illustrated by Igor Vieru.
\fcnghelijoined the Writers' Union. He also published the book „Pe lume" (In The World) and the folklore collection „Auraş-Păcuraş".
1966 — he published the book „Balade" (Ballads), illustrated by Igor Vieru and
two more collections: „Hora gâzelor" (The Ring Dance of the Flying Insects), poetry
written and illustrated by children, and „Telefonul peştişorului" (The Telephone of
the Fish). Spiridon Vangheli together with Grigore Vieru began to work out the
ABC-book for children, which was actually a light in the darkness. The writers didn't
know at that time how much health they would lose fighting during years with the
„Wind Mills", which supported the regime that depersonalized and denationalized
the Moldovan children.
1967 — the „Lumina" Publishing House printed the book „Isprăvile lui
Guguţă"(Guguţe's Deeds), which made the writer famous all over the world. Illus-
trator: Alexandru Hmelniţki.
1968 — The book „Băieţelul din coliba albastră" (The SmaU Boy From the Blue
Hovel) was published in Moscow and the book „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published
in Russian in Chişinău.
A new surprise for children was the book „Iepuraşul Albastru" (The Blue Rab-bit) — a collection of pearls selected and translated by Spiridon Vangheli from the World poetry. Later the writer gave as a present to kindergartens a book entitled „La noi la grădiniţă" (At Our Kindergarten) — a collection of short stories, poetry, one-act plays, games. But due to the fact that he included such Romanian classic writers as: George Coşbuc, Barbu Ştefănescu Delavrancea, I. Al. Brătescu-Voineşti, Emil Gârleanu, Otilia Cazimir etc. in the life of kindergartens he found himself in big trouble. The book „Conăcării" (wedding folklore) was published in the same year. Unbelievable, but the administration of the ,>Lumina" Publishing House resorted to higher authorities and as a result all 30 thousand copies of the book were drawn out of circulation, ready to be destroyed. The reason was that the book also included Romanian folk ritual orisons for wedding, moreover, there was even a reference to the original source in Latin script on page 7.
However, Vangheli found the necessary reasons, made his way through to the Central Committee and persuaded Dumitru Comovan to „release" the circulation, leaving the publishing house on the same day. Then he was hired as literary coun-sellor at the Writers' Union from Moldova. He worked as the head of the Department of Literature for Children at the Writers' Union for 25 years, sharing his experience with the young writers and helping them to publish their books.
1969— „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published in Lithuanian in Vilnius, „Cuşma
lui Guguţă" (Guguţă's Cap) — in Moscow and „Ineluş-învârtecuş" (children's folk
lore) — published by,.Lumina", the compiling being made by Spiridon Vangheli and
Nicolae Băeşu.
1970— Finally, after a 4 years hack work and fight to the death with the
authorities (33 reviews), the ABC-book, that was waited for so long time, was
printed by the „Lumina" Publishing House. It was the only textbook that survived in
our country, almost 2 million children hâd been carrying it in their bags during a
quarter of a century.
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was printed by the Publishing House „Veselka" in Ukraine. The first cartoon shown by „Moldova-Film" was entitled „Guguţă".
1971 — „Guguţă" was awarded the Union Prize at the contest „The Best Book
for Children."
The book „Ministrul bunelului" (Grandfather's Minister) was issued by the „Lumina" Publishing House, graphically presented by Isai Cârmu.
„Cuşma lui Guguţă" was printed in Lettish by „Liesma" publisher, „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" — in Byelorussian in Minsk, „Băieţelul din coliba albastră", illustrated by Ukrainian children, was issued in Ukrainian in Kiev and the film strip „Moşii Crăciuni" (Santa Clauses) issued in Moscow.
The same year two books by Vangheli were published: „Bună ziua, şcoală" (Hello, School) and „Carte pentru toţi" (Book for Everybody) which were a great success.
1972 — The „Lumina" Publishing House printed a new book „Columb în
Australia"(Columbus in Australia), illustrator — Isai Cârmu. A new strip film was
produced called „Banca lui Guguţă"(Guguţe's Desk).
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" appeared in Moscow, Alma-Ata, Bishkek, Ashabad re-spectively in Russian, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Turkman.
1973 — The famous book „Pepy Long Stocking" written by the Swedish writer
Astrid Lindgren was printed in Spiridon Vangheli's translation.
The same year „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was issued in Estonian and Azerbaidzan in Tallinn and Bacu. Then it was re-published in Kiev. „Cuşma lui Guguţă" was re-published as a part of a larger series „Moi pervye knizki" with a large circulation of l 800 000 copies.
The author published a commanding prose anthology for children „Şezătoare în codru" (Gathering in Forest) which included besides folklore and classics, works of over 40 Romanian-speaking writers from the Republic of Moldova.
1974 — Spiridon Vangheli was awarded the International Prize — Andersen
Honour Certificate for his book „Ministrul bunelului" (Grandfather's Minister).
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published in Armenian and Tadjik, „Ministrul bunelului" was translated.in Kazakh and Lithuanian.
The writer was elected in the Editorial Board of the Union Journal „Detskaya literatura." He gave the readers a new and a very precious anthology „Copiii planetei" (The Children of the Planet) — selected pages from the World prose for children.
1975 — Published „Primiţi urătorii" (a synthesis included in „Biblioteca
şcolarului" series, „Lumina" Publishing House), also a play for the puppet theater
„Bună seara, Steaua Polară"(Good Evening, Pole Star) which was a part of the
collection „Pe scena şcolii"(On the School Stage).
The famous book „Peter Pan şi Wendi"(Peter Pan and Wendi) by James Barrie was printed in Spiridon Vangheli's translation. „Guguţă" was re-published in Moscow as a part of the series „Moi pervye knizki."
Moldova-film produced the second cartoon „Banca lui Guguţă"(Guguţă's Desk).
1976 — „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was translated in Czech (the .Albatros" Publishing
House — Prague). „Băieţelul din coliba albastră" was re-published in Kiev.
„Guguţă — poştaş"(Guguţă, the Postman), a new cartoon was shown on TV The strip film „Pozna lui Guguţă" (Guguţă's Trick) appeared in Moscow.
The „Literatura Artistică" Publishing House issued Vangheli's second anthology from the World literature for children entitled „Cercelul de argint" (The Silver Earring).
1977 — „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published in Boston, Tokyo, Ulan-Bator,
Sofia, Tbilisi respectively in English, Japanese, Mongolian, Bulgarian and Georgian.
The American well-known newspaper „New York Times" welcomed the appear-ance of „Guguţă" in the United States. The Japanese press pointed out to Guguţă's interior freedom and charm („The Yomiuri" newspaper, „Pedagogia în clasa a IlI-a" review, „Pădurea şi educaţia" review).
1978—The „Lumina" Publishing House printed two books by Vangheli: „Legenda mărţişorului," (The Legend of Mărţişor) and „Posidelki v.kodrah"(Gathering in Forest).
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published in Berlin, „Guguţă" was printed in Bratislava as a part of the collection „Cheiţa de aur" (The Golden Key) which comprises the most valuable books of all the times from all over the world.
A film strip „Cum a crescut Guguţă într-o noapte"(How Guguţă Grew up One Night) was issued in Moscow.
1979 — „Guguţă — căpitan de corabie"(Guguţă, Captain of a Ship), illustrated by Igor Vieru, was printed by the „Literatura artistică" Publishing House. Guguţă was republished in Littish in Riga. „Cuşma lui Guguţă" — translated in English, Gudjurati(India) and Arabian.
1980 — „Isprăvile lui Guguţă" — translated in Uzbek and re-published in Kirghiz
(Bishkek).
„Guguţă — căpitan de corabie" was published in Chişinău (in Russian) and in
Moscow.
Moldova-film produced two cartoons: „Cadoul lui Guguţă"(Guguţă's Gift) and
„Guguţă-frizer" (Guguţă is a Hairdresser).
The author was distinguished with trie State Prize of Moldova.
1981 — A new book — „Steaua lui Ciubotei" — with a new main character, and
a new childhood period. Illustrator: Lică Sainciuc. Other books were published the
same year: „Calul cu ochi albaştri" (short stories, illustrated by Igor Vieru) and the
anthology „Fetiţa din Hiroşima" (a collection of world children's poetry, translated
by SpiridonVangheli).
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was re-edited in Kiev.
Moldova film produced another cartoon: „Guguţă — căpitan de corabie".
The children's cafe GUGUŢĂ was opened in the City Park of Chişinău on June l.
1982 — The All-Union children's magazine, Murzilka, entirely printed, in 11
consecutive issues, „Steaua lui Ciubotei"; this was an unprecedented case.
„Guguţă — căpitan de corabie" was translated into Lithuanian and Kazakh. „Steaua lui Ciubotei" was published as well in Alma-Ata in the same volume as
„Guguţă".
The Ministry of Education of Moldova Prize for „Steaua lui Ciubotei". The author was conferred the title Maşter Emeritus of Arts of Moldova.
The Durleşti Toy Factory produced the Guguţă doll.
1983 — The author's father — Ştefan Vangheli, bom in 1889 — died.
„Guguţă şi prietenii săi" was published. Illustrator: Lică Sainciuc. Publisher:
Literatura Artistică.
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" were re-edited in Tokyo and Berlin. „Guguţă — căpitan de corabie" was published in Minsk. It was also translated and published in Baku, in a single volume with „Steaua lui Ciubotei".
„Guguţă" was translated into Kharakalpak and published in Nukus.
The Guguţă badge was designed in Chişinău. „Noaptea de Anul Nou" cartoon
was produced.
The author traveled to Japan. He hâd memorable discussions with his read-ers and translators in the wonderful Child's Palace in Tokyo, as well as in Kyoto and Osaka.
1984 — „Steaua lui Ciubotei" was published in Berlin and Moscow.
„Guguţă — căpitan de corabie" was translated into Hungarian, French and
Turkmenian. The same year this book appeared in Turkey.
Moldova-film produced „Măturătorii", which was the 8* cartoon of the „Guguţă"
series.
1985 — „Scrieri alese"(Selected Works) published by Literatura Artistică. Pref
ace by Mihai Cimpoi; illustrator: Alexei Colâbneac.
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published in Bucharest (by the Ion Creangă Publish-ing House) and re-edited in Tokyo (by Dosin-sea). „Guguţă — căpitan de corabie" was published in Tadjik in Dushanbe.
„Steaua lui Ciubotei" was also published in Japan by Fucuincan-seten. Just like Guguţă, Ciubotei is very popular amorig the Japanese readers. The Holp Publishers' Newsletter published on the 5th September 1985 a review by Mitsuko Matsutami, under the title „Ciubotei — a Book of a Rare Freshness". Another review appeared in the Japan's Economy newspaper; it was written by Kaiko Sigash under the title „Children's Star". „Ciubotei" is also acclaimed in the Children's Library magazine and The Tokyo Morning Paper.
„Steaua lui Ciubotei" was translated in Kirgizia, Slovak Republic and Bulgaria.
„Băiatul trezit de privighetori" —_an anthology of Russian children's prose — was published that year. Compilation and foreword: by Spiridon Vangheli.
1986 — „Steaua lui Ciubotei" was translated in Budapest, Riga and Dushanbe.
It was also re-edited in Berlin. „Guguţă" was re-edited in Prague. The Children's
World Prose Anthology was published in Bratislava and contained works by Spiridon
Vangheli.
„Privighetoarea" was published in Chişinău.
The same year the author finished another anthology, „Povestea muntelui albastru" (The Blue Mountain's Tale), which was a selectоon from Estonian children's prose, with the author's preface.
The well-known prose fairy tale, „Doctorul Aoleu" (Doctor Oh) by Kornei Chukovski, was published in Spiridon Vangheli's translation.
The author was invited to the US, where he met his readers in Boston, New York, and Washington.
From 1971 untill 1986 „Floricica" Studio released five animated cartoons about Guguţă.
1987 — A new volume was published in Erevan, which contained „Guguţă —
căpitan de corabie" (Guguţă, Captain of a Ship) and „Steaua lui Ciubotei" (Chiuboţel's
Star). These two stories were published together in Tashkent as well.
„Cuşma lui Guguţă" (Guguţă's Cap) was re-published in Moscow as a part of a larger series, „Moi pervye knizki", and an anthology of indigenous children's prose— "Cele mai frumoase flori" (The Most Beautiful Flowers)-appeared in Chişinău in Russian, edited by Spiridon Vangheli.
The Literatura Artistică publisher printed „Privighetoarea" (The Nightingale) in English, French, Spanish, and Russian.
The author was invited, together with his wife, to take part in the Children's Literature Week in Bratislava.
1988 — Spiridon Vangheli was awarded the Soviet Union State Prize.
In his speech in the Kremlin, on the occasion of receiving the award, Vangheli said: „I am glad that the new times have awaken the conscience of my industrious People, which is recovering its sense of naţional dignity. I am sure that my people will fight its way out of the humiliation and degradation brought on it by the Stalin regime and the stagnation period" (Literatura şi arta, 1989, January 1.)
„Steaua lui Ciubotei" was translated in Vilnius and Kiev. A new edition was in Tbilisi — „Steaua lui Ciubotei" and „Cuşma lui Guguţă" in a single
1989— „Pantalonia — ţara năstruşnicilor" (Pantalonia — the Country of the
Cranks) was published by Literatura Artistică, illustrated by Iurie Leu. „Măria sa
Guguţă" (His Majesty Guguţă) was published there as well.
1990— The Latin-script version of the ABC-book was published. Illustrator —
lică Sainciuc.
„Pantalonia—ţara năstruşnicilor" was ranked as the best book of the year at a contest organized by the Writers' Union of Moldova and the Publishing, Printing and Book Sales Department.
„Moara veselă" (The Merry Mill) was published in Bucharest (by Ion Creangă Publishing House).
„Băieţelul din Coliba Albastră" (The Boy From the Blue Hovel) was published in Chişinău in Latin script. The Hyperion publisher printed „Pantalonia—strana ihidakov".
The author was invited, together with his wife, to Finland, where he met the Finnish readers in an informai setting at the Helsinki National Library.
1991 — The „Lumina" Publishing House issued „Ghiocica" in Latin script as part
of „Biblioteca şcolarului" series.
„Isprăvile lui Guguţă" was published in Finnish in Helsinki. The book was ac-claimed by the Finnish press. „The naţional and the universal interweave perfectly in this enchanting book, which already belongs not to Vangheli but to the world literature," wrote translator Ulla-Liisa Heine.
Vangheli was elected President of the PEN Center in Moldova, a branch of the World Writers'Association.
1992 — The author's essays, published in Literatura şi arta, contributed to the
naţional rebirth.
Honorary title The People's Writer of the Republic of Moldova. The Municipal Puppet Theater „Guguţă" was opened in Chişinău.
1993 — He participated in the World Writers' Association Congress that took
place in Santiago de Compastela (Spain).
The „Cuşma lui Guguţă" film strip was produced.
1994 — The Turturica publisher issued „Guguţă şi prietenii săi" (Guguţă and
His Friends) in two volumes in Latin script. Illustrators—Igor Vieru, Octavia
Ţarălungă, Boris Diodorov, Lică Sainciuc, Alexei Colâbneac, Iurie Leu.
Participated in the World Writers' Association Congress in Prague.
1995 — Spent one month in Germany on an invitation by Literarisches Collo-
quium Berlin, where he worked together with a translator on the German version of
„Pantalonia—ţara năstruşnicilor."
The Event Book Prize awarded by the National Books Hali in Chişinău for „Guguţă şi prietenii săi" in two volumes.
The „Carte frumoasă — cinste cui te-a scris" Prize awarded by the French Cultural Center in Iaşi for „Guguţă şi prietenii săi."
1996 — The Bucuria candy factory developed a new brand of chocolate, called
Guguţă.
Sell-out of the first prinţ run of „Guguţă şi prietenii săi" in two volumes, and the Turturica publisher printed a second run. A one-volume version of the book was published in the same year. This was the 70th edition of „Guguţă".
Distinguished by the Ion Creangă Prize of the Romanian Academy.
Awarded with the Republic's Medal.
1997 — Awarded with the Children's Preference Prize of the National Books Hali in Chişinău.
Moldova, 2010, Guguthe
