Cristina Lincu conducted a captivating interview with Anișoara Laura Mustețiu, exploring profound themes and creative perspectives.
INTERVIEW PUBLISHED IN CHIC-ELITE MAGAZINE
I got to know Anișoara Laura Mustețiu through the internet, and truthfully, it would have been somewhat difficult for us to meet offline, given that she lives on the other side of the world, in Sydney, Australia. Laura is a writer with an active literary life in the diaspora, which you can read more about in the interview below.
– Laura, thank you for agreeing to share glimpses of your life with us. I saw that you studied in Germany and then in Australia, where, as mentioned, you currently reside. A truly fascinating journey.
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu
Can you tell us about your journey from Timișoara to Sydney? What made you leave Romania?
Hello, dear Cristina. First of all, I want to thank you for your attention and appreciation. I am honored. In fact, I should be interviewing you, considering you are one of my favorite writers… 🙂
But back to your question… I left Romania in April 1990. I was part of a mass emigration of Romanians, especially young people, following the 1989 revolution and the hard-earned freedom that came with it. It was an exodus full of challenges, as at that time, Romanians did not have the rights or privileges that they enjoy today.
Sydney was a threshold I crossed, lured by the magic of discovering a new world. But destiny also played its hand. I got a new family. However, my life’s journey has been somewhat more complex… I could say that Timișoara and my grandparents’ village in Transylvania were the cradle of my childhood, while the small town of Speyer in Germany, where I lived for twenty-four years, was the garden where I blossomed. Sydney is the shore where I anchored the ship of my life in 2014, indefinitely.
Leaving my country at 19 felt like a true liberation from the bonds of many limitations and obstacles.
When I think of my hometown, I feel drops of opposing emotions flowing through my heart: love, admiration, and sorrow. When I look at Timișoara, I don’t see just the city center, but also that dusty corner where I found myself at a young age. My departure was a choice, an escape. A crucial moment in which I pulled hard on the sails of my ship, changing its course toward the sun and the storms of the unknown.
– What have you learned in these three decades away from Romania? How does the homeland look from such a great distance, geographically and culturally?
I can say that in the twenty-four years I lived in Germany, I enriched myself spiritually and culturally, adopting new ideas and life principles. I absorbed the best aspects of German society: respect, discipline, precision, and the aspiration for a high-quality life.
In the ten years I have lived in Sydney, what inspired me most was the respect that Australians show toward other nations. This attitude gives me hope and confidence in the power of intercultural cooperation. For example, together with writer Mihaela Cristescu, I am organizing a bilingual literary event in Romanian and English on April 26 in Sydney. I am deeply grateful to the Australian cultural group Westwords, which has made their cultural center available to us for this event. And it is not the first time we have been supported by Australians in promoting Romanian culture here in Sydney.
It is only natural to feel homesickness for Romania from this vast distance. Romania has a unique cultural wealth. Its picturesque landscapes, traditional villages, and ancient customs are truly impressive and deserve to be celebrated and shared with the world. And, a song or a book in Romanian can bring a touch of solace to this distant continent, easing the longing for home.
My homeland smiles at me from afar. And my heart still beats faster when I hear its name. It moves me. From there, I can still hear the echoes of childhood laughter, see the smiles of parents and grandparents wandering through the wheat fields. Poetically, I see my country like this…
There is a land so pure, divine,
where heaven’s light will always shine,
where golden branches sway with grace,
and children laugh in sacred space.
There is a dream beyond the seas,
where hearts find peace upon the breeze,
where haystacks spread their sweet perfume,
while angels guard the night in bloom.
There is a place where justice stands,
with iron might in noble hands,
where echoes tell of battles past,
and silver forests hold them fast.
There is a path where souls take flight,
where beauty gleams in morning light,
where forests whisper through the air,
and streams sing stories soft and rare.
– Who supported and encouraged you to write?
My father, a poet and sculptor, was the one who planted in my heart the love for the beauty of the Romanian language and culture. But I believe that the support and encouragement also came from within. It emerged suddenly, like a fierce desire, a cry… then it poured out, like a nourishing rain of emotions, flowing into writing.
In 2014, when I arrived in Sydney, I discovered, to my surprise, a little Romania. I began participating in Romanian cultural events, concerts featuring Romanian artists, book launches, and I met talented Romanians. Some of them became friends. I can say that the cultural atmosphere here inspired me.
The desire to write erupted suddenly from the depths of my being. I was surprised and followed my instincts. Then came friendships and soulful connections, numerous publications in magazines, literary collaborations, my own Romanian-language cultural radio show on ProDiaspora, and the founding of a Romanian cultural magazine in Sydney, which I named Emoții și Lumină (Emotions and Light). The opportunities for growth in this field seem infinite… and I still don’t see my limits.
I also feel supported by my readers. The spiritual connection with them makes me happy. Last year, my visit to my grandparents’ village felt like a true month of celebration. I had published two prose books, Crâmpeie din viața unei femei (Fragments of a Woman’s Life) and Prețul Onoarei (The Price of Honour), both reflecting authentic scenes from rural life. Most villagers read these books and were deeply impressed. I felt their joy in my soul, and that feeling gave me a profound sense of fulfillment.
Though, first of all, I am deeply grateful for the support I have received here in Sydney from my husband and his family.
Also, I am thankful for the help and appreciation I have received from friends and various cultural groups in Romania, such as in Arad—Professors Florica R. Cândea and Carina A. Baba—as well as Professor Aurelia Rînjea from Ploiești. I also thank the magazines Gutenberg, Armonii Culturale, Mangalia News, and, in Australia, writer and publicist George Roca.
Through this interview, I see that I’ve gained new friends. I sincerely thank you, dear Cristina, as well as the beautiful magazine Chic Elite, for your appreciation and support.
– You are the author of eight prose and poetry books in Romanian and English. What are their titles, and where can readers, including those in Romania, purchase them?
My poetry books are: Travel in Time, A Life Story in Poems, and Un sărut pierdut pe mătasea timpului (A Kiss Lost on the Silk of Time).
My prose books are: Crâmpeie din viața unei femei (Fragments of a Woman’s Life), Prețul Onoarei (The Price of Honour), and their English editions: Fragments of a Woman’s Life and The Price of Honour.
I have also written children’s books: Yarran, Stories from Australia (English edition) and Yarran, Povești din Australia (Romanian-English edition).
Information about these books can be found on my website: Anișoara Laura Mustețiu.
– Prose or poetry?
I started by writing poetry, but in recent years, I have fallen in love with prose… The novella “The Price of Honour”, published in 2023 by the Romanian-Australian Book Club publishing house, is a true story, born from a reality tucked away in the folds of life. I had the courage to let the past revive its love once more, to cry out its pain under the divine sky. The story invites readers on a journey to the 1970s, into a mountain village called Valea Sânzâienelor (fictional name). Readers are welcomed into the villagers’ homes, to live alongside them, enjoy the traditions of the village, share their joys and sorrows. And perhaps, sometimes, wipe away a tear brought on by the scent of their stories.
In “Fragments of a Woman’s Life”, published in 2022 under the auspices of the Romanian-Australian Academy of Culture, I describe a unique concept of the self—a self that finds new meaning in pain, a new definition, when channeling the energy born from suffering into fighting, overcoming, or creating something better. Through this journey, the self discovers a profound sense of identity, of life, and a new force of healing.
– In which language do you prefer to write, Romanian or English?
For me, writing in Romanian is a privilege and an endless joy. The pleasure of expressing myself in my native language is infinite. However, living in a country where English is spoken, it is a duty and a sign of respect to also write prose and poetry in English.
– How does marketing intersect with literature?
At its core, I believe the two fields are closely related. Both require inspiration, creativity, and extensive knowledge about ourselves and the world around us.
I worked for 19 years in Germany at a successful company in the chemical industry, where I practiced operational marketing. In Sydney, I remained in marketing, working at a research institute. Daily life demands many sacrifices, and having time to write books has been a luxury I could afford only in recent years.
– What does it mean to be a member of the Romanian-Australian Academy of Culture and the Romanian Writers’ League?
To become a member of these cultural organizations, one must have notable achievements in the cultural field, either in Romania or abroad. An impeccable reputation and recognition within the cultural community are essential. Additionally, involvement in collaborative projects between Romania and Australia is particularly important.
For eight years, I have had a beautiful collaboration with the President of the Romanian-Australian Academy of Culture, poet Daniel Ioniță, and the Vice President, publicist George Roca.
Although I have been a member of the Romanian Writers’ League for three years, our synergy has not yet fully flourished.
– Your work has not gone unnoticed; you have received numerous awards, diplomas, and distinctions, for which we congratulate you with admiration. Which are the most important to you?
The most precious awards are the kind words, warm like fresh bread, received from my dear readers.
– Tell us about your radio show on ProDiaspora, Emoții și Iubire (Emotions and Love). When and how can we listen to it?
My voluntary work at Radio ProDiaspora is undoubtedly a form of personal growth, an enrichment of my knowledge, and a way to better understand human values and cultural creations. The time spent researching and preparing the programs—which include poetry, prose, reflections on life, and good music—gives me the opportunity to develop my potential and to discover gifted cultural figures.
Through my radio programs, I have brought emotions and love into the listeners’ homes, and in return, I have felt kindness and appreciation. But what truly fulfills me is knowing that I contribute to promoting and preserving Romanian culture. I remain inspired and motivated to continue my journey in this enchanting field, where those who share the same love for culture, traditions, and everything beautiful and authentic come together.
The program airs on Sundays at 19:00 or Mondays at 10:00 Romanian time on ProDiaspora Radio. Announcements are made two days in advance on my Facebook page.
– How was the cultural magazine Emoții și Lumină born? What about The Romanian-Australian Book Club? What does its activity consist of?
I believe life is deeper, more beautiful, and more fulfilling when we do something that matters—not just for our own well-being, but for others as well. This truth, which I have felt more intensely in recent years, often runs through me like a strengthening spring breeze.
Founding Emoții și Lumină (Emotions and Light) in 2022 brought new cultural collaborations and strengthened my confidence in the richness of contemporary Romanian culture.
The Romanian-Australian Book Club was born from the same values, out of love for the Romanian language. But also from the desire to have Romanian books—almost nonexistent here in Australia. Today, it serves as both a cultural center and a publishing house. It is just starting out and will progress slowly but surely.
Last year, we launched the literary event Dimineți de Suflet (Mornings of the Soul). Collaborations with Romanian readers here, as well as with the Romanian Phoenix Association in Sydney and the Romanian Doina Association in Brisbane, are opening up new opportunities.
– To what extent do you think an author should engage with their readers, both offline and online?
I maintain a constant dialogue with readers on social media, and I genuinely enjoy listening to their thoughts. They inspire and deeply move me, giving me confidence that what I do is valuable and meaningful.
Of course, through book launches and cultural events, a much more authentic and profound relationship with readers can be built.
– What are your plans for writing? Do you already have your next book in mind?
I have many plans that include literary activities, participation in cultural events, and new collaborations with cultural figures from Romania and Australia. The literary world is fascinating and almost limitless in its opportunities for growth. In the near future, I hope to establish a successful partnership with a publishing house in Romania.
A special and heartfelt project is my manuscript for a new book, Între Sărut și Durere (Between a Kiss and Pain), which carries an emotional story inspired by real events. I have poured my soul into this work, and I hope that this story will have a purpose—not only for me but also for its readers.
The book will soon be available in online bookstores in Romania and abroad. The foreword is written by Professor Aurelia Rînjea, acting as editorial advisor. As she beautifully put it, it is “a book written with the Light of the Soul, an exceptional gift, for which I invite you to a truly special reading!”
– Where can we find you online?
I warmly welcome you to my website: Anișoara Laura Mustețiu
On my Facebook page: Laura Anișoara Mustețiu
Or I invite you to explore The Romanian-Australian Book Club: Facebook Group
– Have you ever thought about returning to Romania?
I have never considered returning to Romania. But I love it from a distance. I have lived abroad for thirty-five years, and yet this endless foreign land has not diminished my Romanian roots. When I become aware of them, I feel closest to myself—to that young woman who left in 1990 to navigate the West alone. But here in Sydney, I feel fulfilled.
– A question that no Chic-Elite interviewee escapes: What is your vision regarding women and power? Do you consider yourself a feminist?
I must say that after reading your book, Liberă! (Free!), which I adore, I felt a renewed inspiration to write about women and their ability to overcome life’s obstacles. And Chic Elite magazine struck a chord with me as well. The activities and projects showcased on its pages spark both inspiration and admiration.
Although I grew up under the gentle care of my father, women and their power hold a central place in my books. They are portrayed through their resilience in the face of adversity, their defiance of norms designed to limit them, and their courage and determination.
In general, I adore people with kind and warm hearts, regardless of their gender, nationality, or age.
– Thank you!
And I thank you and Chic Elite magazine for your attention and appreciation.
Wishing you a year filled with success, peace, love, and harmony.
Anisoara Laura Mustetiu
Sydney, Australia
8th of March, 2025
The interview was conducted by writer Cristina Lincu in Romania.
