UMaine professor guest in Romania

ORONO – University of Maine philosophy professor Douglas Allen, a world authority on the Romanian scholar of religion Mircea Eliade, served as a resident scholar this spring at New Europe College in Bucharest, Romania.

Allen gave six lectures at five universities in Romania, appeared on an hour-long television program that was broadcast in several European countries and conducted research during his residency.

He traveled to Romania at the invitation of New Europe College. His trip was funded by a UMaine faculty research grant and New Europe College.

Allen has published four books on Eliade (1907-1986), who is well known for his often-controversial work on the history and philosophy of religion, symbolism and myth. Four of Allen’s lectures and the television program focused on Eliade, while two of his lectures addressed terrorism.

The professor’s lectures drew students, scholars and citizens eager to discuss the author, who is considered a Romanian national hero.

During World War II, Eliade served with the Romanian Legation as the cultural attache in Portugal. After the war, he could not return to newly communist Romania because of his writings, actions and connections, especially those with Nae Ionescu, his mentor at the University of Bucharest.

Allen’s lectures also covered subjects such as religious terrorism, U.S. foreign policy and the significance of Sept. 11.

When not on the lecture circuit, Allen was meeting with Romanian scholars and gathering information for his research on Eliade. Several scholars asked him to contribute book chapters and journal articles for their publications. He agreed to become an editor of a Romanian journal, and he received several invitations to return to Romania. Allen also discussed the possibilities of starting an exchange program for UMaine and Romanian students and professors.

“I was able to expand my knowledge of what Romanian scholars are working on – their agendas and priorities. I am curious about the different approaches that are being taken as regards to Eliade’s legacy. This helps me understand how my research can connect with other scholarly projects,” Allen said.

Allen has been at UMaine since 1974 and was the 2000 Distinguished Maine Professor.