Fragment from the interview, part of the collection Life as a Spark, a new anthology project featuring 37 contemporary authors. Published by Armonii Culturale.
Gheorghe Stroia: To better understand you, I would like you to tell us, beyond your identity as a writer/artist, what could you share about the Person you are—things you haven’t shared before but that you would like people to know. I remind you, there are no limits or restrictions, only sincerity.
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu: The question about the Person I am reminds me of the inscription on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, attributed to Socrates: Know thyself! Of course, my perception of the Person within me is subjective and perhaps relative. I am certain there is much more for me to understand about myself and about what simmers in the depths of my being.
In life, I have received love, respect, and appreciation from those who have known me, which leads me to believe that I am a good person. What people may not know about me is my vulnerability. I am easily hurt. Yet, paradoxically, from those pains, I always find the strength to rise, to heal, and to let go of everything that wounds me. I could say that I exist in that perfect balance—vulnerability and strength.
Throughout my life, I have had moments that deepened my understanding of my nature. For example, on March 16, 2001, in Speyer, Germany, I cycled for 24 hours non-stop (850 km). It was a record registered in the Guinness World Records. That was the moment I realized there is more within me than I perceive or consciously acknowledge. That’s why, even today, I cannot claim to truly know myself completely.
The Person within me expresses itself through deeds, achievements, but also through writing. My love for culture, for stories with layers of personal growth, for lessons drawn from life that may serve those who are just starting their journey, my voluntary work at Radio ProDiaspora, my dedication to keeping the literary magazine Emoții și Lumină alive—all of these reflect the Person within me.
Especially my latest book, “Between Kiss and Pain”, reveals a great deal about me as a Person.
Poetically, I express myself like this:
I am just a lost emigrant, in a world of hidden dreams,
An emigrant who fought so hard, through life’s unyielding streams.
An uprooted tree I stand, with words that fade away,
Unknown to heart yet bound to fate, where silent echoes stay.
Absorbing tears from golden light, I warm my wandering soul,
With longing deep and fragile hope, deceived yet still made whole.
The forests now feel strange to me, like whispers lost in air,
A tamed young bear who walks alone, through sorrow’s cold despair.
Upon the crimson sky I gaze, where countless spirits rise,
Soft souls ascend through solitude, to paths beyond the skies.
I turn back to the empty yard, where memories drift away,
Through howling winds, through aching time, where lost past shadows lay.
I am just a lost emigrant, through mystery’s embrace,
An emigrant who fought with strength, yet yearned for fate’s warm grace.
Gheorghe Stroia: My question might push the limits a bit, but it is part of a rhetoric called Life as a Spark. What arguments can you bring in support of the generous idea that your life is truly a… SPARK, one that brings light to yourself or to others?
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu: Life becomes a spark when we inspire others. For example, by dedicating my energy to promoting Romanian culture here in Australia, I sometimes manage to bring sparks of joy to those who miss hearing our ancestral language. And I have received warm and heartfelt words from these people.
A creative life—such as the one I dedicate to literature—becomes a fire that not only warms me but also touches my readers. Writing, cultural projects, or even simple words of encouragement can have a beneficial impact on those who read or listen to me. I have felt this through numerous messages from readers and listeners of my radio shows.
When we show our vulnerability, we accept to be authentic and human. This openness is like a flame of truth, seen by the hearts that resonate with the stories I write.
Additionally, I believe my life gains radiance when I live according to my values—the ethical ones, refined through life’s lessons; the spiritual ones, shaped by the Person within me; and those given by my parents and by God.
A luminous life is one that leaves positive traces. The fact that I dedicate myself not only to personal achievements but also to projects that bring something valuable to others exemplifies this light. Our lives can be a spark whenever we dare to create, to give something good and beautiful to the world, and to light the path for those who come after us.
Gheorghe Stroia: Given the current conditions of contemporary literature and art, what are the necessary and sufficient conditions not only to survive but also to attract recognition, admirers, and, why not, a well-earned place within the frame of Time, over which we will never be masters?
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu: In a world flooded with content, the authentic voices are those that resonate and remain memorable. Writers and artists must preserve their uniqueness—whether by expressing cultural identity or offering a new perspective on the world.
Approaching contemporary or universal themes in a way that resonates with today’s audience is essential. Whether it’s about societal dilemmas or the eternal search for self, relevance creates a connection to Time.
A well-written text or a well-crafted artwork that respects the rigor of form will earn admiration from critics and the public. Quality is a foundation that cannot be ignored.
Breaking conventions, experimenting with new forms and media, can separate a remarkable creation from one that merely “survives.” The avant-garde remains a key to a lasting place in the history of art.
Thank you!
Gheorghe Stroia, publisher and editor in chief of the Magazine Armonii Culturale
Source: Magazine Armonii Culturale
