The University of Bucharest is to grant the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to respected British historian Dennis Deletant, a world expert in Romanian history.
The event will take place on Wednesday at the Senate Hall of the University of Bucharest.
Professor Dennis Deletant dedicated himself to the study of the Romanian language, history and culture. At a time when Europe was dominated by instability, Dennis Deletant chose to look at Romania beyond communism and adversities and to focus on the positive aspects, rejecting stereotypes about Romania.
He began his academic career in 1969 as assistant at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies of the University of London, conducting teaching and research at higher education institutions, such as the University of Amsterdam and Georgetown University Washington.
His books include: Ceaușescu and the Securitate (published in Romanian by Humanitas, 1998), The communist terror in Romania: Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and the Police state 1948 – 1965 (Polirom, 2001) or Romania 1916 – 1941. A political history (Humanitas, 2024)/. They offer “an essential perspective on Romania’s contemporary history and contribute to understanding the nuances of this period by the international public.” the University of Bucharest said.
During his career, Prof. Dennis Deletant lobbied for better Romanian-British relations and brought international attention to Romania’s history and culture. He was a translator and correspondent for the BBC and got involved in charitable initiatives, such as the British Book Appeal, which raised funds for Bucharest’s Central University Library.
He also supported projects to conserve Romanian rural patrimony under the auspices of His Majesty Charles III of the United Kingdom.
In 1995, he was awarded an OBE, as an acknowledgement of his contributions in the bilateral relationships between the United Kingdom and Romania. In 2000, President Emil Constantinescu granted the Order For Merit in Commander Rank for services brought to Romanian democracy, and in 2016, president Klaus Iohannis decorated him with the order Steaua României in Officer Rank.
In bestowing the title of Doctor Honoris Causa the University of Bucharest recognizes Prof. Dennis Deletant’s remarkable activity in the field of Romanian history and his outstanding contribution to promoting academic relations between Britain and Romania.
