“Mornings of the Soul” – Friendship through Literature and Romanian Tradition in Australia
Bringing an atmosphere of culture and harmony, the WestWords Center in Sydney, Parramatta, hosted on 11 October 2025 the cultural event “Mornings of the Soul.” Organized by the Romanian-Australian Book Club, under the coordination of Anișoara Laura Mustetiu and in collaboration with poet Mihaela Cristescu, this gathering united lovers of literature, theater, and art in an inspiring setting. The event focused on the theme of “Friendship,” exploring the meaning of it in literature and its role in culture through dialogues and artistic interpretations.
Mihaela Cristescu spoke about the support offered by the cultural Australian Organisations WestWords and New Writers Group, about cultural projects, and delighted the audience with profound verses. Cătălin Ovidiu Anastase, captivated the audience with classical poetry. Anișoara Laura Mustețiu presented the vision of the Romanian-Australian Book Club and emphasized the importance of Romanian-Australian cultural collaborations. Additionally, Anisoara Laura Mustetiu mentioned a successful example of literature dedicated to “Friendship” through the book „Letters for my Soul,” recently published by the Romanian-Australian Book Club in Romanian and English. The book has reached the shelves of prestigious bookstores like Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and more.
Daniela Liga shared a fascinating and rare story about the friendship between Panait Istrati and the French writer Romain Rolland, highlighting how Rolland’s influence inspired Istrati to write. It was a compelling reflection on friendship — not only as a human bond, but also as a source of healing and personal growth through literature.
Angela Dobrota recited original verses from the contemporary repertoire and spoke movingly about a remarkable 50-year friendship.
Her performance brought emotional depth and poetic resonance to the gathering.
Adriana Anastase contributed thoughtful ideas on how cultural events can be enriched and how friendship can be nurtured within the community.
The atmosphere of “Mornings of the Soul” was enriched by participants through a true cultural and artistic feast. The discussions provided diverse perspectives, shaping a complex image of Friendship’s role in culture and society.
The event was both a celebration of written and performed art and a reaffirmation of Romanian heritage, cherished in Australia.
The generous support of WestWords Cultural Center was essential for the success of this event, once again showing its commitment to promoting cultural diversity in Australia.
“Mornings of the Soul” also served as an opportunity to strengthen community connections. Through this initiative, the organizers aim to continue hosting events that advance the tradition of cultural dialogue, promoting artistic values both within the Romanian community and the broader Australian audience. This bridge between cultures reflects the role of literature in fostering authentic connections and enriching the cultural landscape.
