Romanian philosopher Mihai Sora turns 100

Romanian philosopher Mihai Sora turned 100 today, November 7. President Iohannis awarded Mihai Sora with the “Romania’s Star” National Order, the highest distinction of the Romanian state, on September 26, on his centennial’s occasion. The same distinction was given to another Romanian personality who turned 100 this year, historian Neagu Djuvara.

Mihai Sora received a YouTube channel as a gift from his wife, as well as the trailer of the movie called “100” dedicated to his anniversary.

“Life is beautiful and you must enjoy it. However, I don’t know if everybody knows how to enjoy it. And I don’t know if those who don’t know to enjoy life can learn what joy means. Joy is something you are born with. It is part of your life, it’s your life. Actually, to enjoy means to live, to have life. To enjoy the blue sky, the green grass, the wet rain and the warm sun,” said Sora in a short excerpt of the “100” film.

Mihai Sora’s second wife, writer Luiza Palanciuc Sora (whom he married two years ago, at the age of 98), posted a message on his birthday.

„I have long wondered that most of the people who meet Mihai Sora, who visit him, who asks him to grant interviews, who want to have a photo next to him (like in the past, their ancestors wanted to take a photo next to the bear), so, most of them are systematically (which is tiresome enough) and always asking him about Cioran, Eliade, about Ionesco and others, instead of asking him about himself,” Luiza Sora posted on Facebook.

Born in 1916 to an Orthodox priest, Sora studied philosophy at the University of Bucharest where he had great teachers such as Nae Ionescu and Mircea Vulcanescu, and Mircea Eliade as assistant. He left for Paris but returned to Romania in 1948, when the communists banned him from leaving the country anymore.

Mihai Sora has been honorary member of the Romanian Academjy since October 2012. He is founding member of the Social Dialogue Group (GDP) and of the Civic Alliance. He also founded the famous book series, „Library for all”.

He is still very active on social media and in his private life.