Post-Communist Romania: An American Perspective
Friday, March 19th 2010 6:30 Drinks and Hors D’oeuvres with Alan Elsner 7:00 Book Presentation 7:30 Q&A and Casual Networking Photo exhibition by Jennifer Okray Location: 737 N. Michigan Ave, Olympia Center, Suite 2050 Chicago, Illinois 60611 (Romanian Consulate Building) Discounted 8$ parking rate at on-site garage (Chicago St. entrance) Limited seats. We require all participants to sign up. Free admission Autographed Book: $15 (cash only) | Proud Sponsor:
SARAVALE MEAT MARKET & EUROPEAN DELI 5354 W. Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60641 773-685-5126  |
'ROMANCE LANGUAGE', by ALAN ELSNER
We are pleased to announce the Chicago book launch of the novel ‘Romance Language’. You are invited to join us for an evening discussion with its author Alan Elsner. Alan is a prestigious American journalist and writer with a fascinating personality. Throughout his career, Alan experienced the most amazing cultures, witnessed wars, terrorism and natural disasters and got to work as a journalist with a wide range of people from various political circles such as presidents of the United States, The Secretary of State and others.
In ‘Romance Language’ Elsner breaks new ground with a passionate story set against the backdrop of the bloody Romanian Revolution of 1989. In a meticulously-researched book, Elsner's star-crossed protagonists find themselves at the center of tumultuous events as a brutal Communist dictatorship struggles, willing to do anything to hold on to power, confronts a nation yearning for freedom. The story then transcends into today’s Romania beautifully emphasizing the transformation of the country over the past years. Romania has morphed from the grey days of the Communism when "the only splash of color came from the jowly, thick-lipped portraits of Ceausescu" to today's vivid, colorful and very passionate country. It has been going through a process of re-discovering its own identity that seems to be well mirrored in the journey of a novice yet determined Petra on a quest to understand her roots in order to re-define herself.
The book represents a intriguing American perspective over the Romanian culture, which will be the main topic of our debate. Additional guests will be invited to share their experiences and encounters with the Romanian culture and to contribute to our discussion - Romania in 1989 and in the present: an American perspective.
Books can be purchased on the Alan’s personal website: http://www.alanelsner.com, at http://www.amazon.com, as well as in person at the book launch. All books can be autographed at the event.
In ‘Romance Language’ Elsner breaks new ground with a passionate story set against the backdrop of the bloody Romanian Revolution of 1989. In a meticulously-researched book, Elsner's star-crossed protagonists find themselves at the center of tumultuous events as a brutal Communist dictatorship struggles, willing to do anything to hold on to power, confronts a nation yearning for freedom. The story then transcends into today’s Romania beautifully emphasizing the transformation of the country over the past years. Romania has morphed from the grey days of the Communism when "the only splash of color came from the jowly, thick-lipped portraits of Ceausescu" to today's vivid, colorful and very passionate country. It has been going through a process of re-discovering its own identity that seems to be well mirrored in the journey of a novice yet determined Petra on a quest to understand her roots in order to re-define herself.
The book represents a intriguing American perspective over the Romanian culture, which will be the main topic of our debate. Additional guests will be invited to share their experiences and encounters with the Romanian culture and to contribute to our discussion - Romania in 1989 and in the present: an American perspective.
Books can be purchased on the Alan’s personal website: http://www.alanelsner.com, at http://www.amazon.com, as well as in person at the book launch. All books can be autographed at the event.
About The Author
Alan Elsner has over 30 years of experience in journalism, covering stories ranging from the September 11, 2001 attacks on America and the crisis in the Middle East to the 2000 Presidential election and the end of the Cold War. Alan's curriculum lists prominent journalistic positions such as State Department Correspondent and National Correspondent for the Thomson-Reuters News Service.
Throughout his career, Alan has reported from over 40 countries and almost all of the 50 states. Although born in London, he has lived in five countries: Britain, Israel, Sweden, the United States and Romania. In 2006, Elsner was awarded a Knight International Press Fellowship to spend nine months in Romania teaching journalism and advancing a free and democratic media.
For more information please visit Alan's webpage at http://www.alanelsner.com.
As a novel writer, Alan is author of the 'The Nazi Hunter' and two other books. A gripping thriller based on meticulous research and inside knowledge, 'The Nazi Hunter' weaves together fierce partisan politics, the search for ex-Nazi war criminals, romance, music, and a crazed far-right militia intent on bringing down the government. It's a compelling and intelligent tale that both excites and profoundly moves the reader.
In 2004, Elsner's widely acclaimed first book 'Gates of Injustice,' focused a harsh spotlight of truth on America's prison system. It was praised by liberals and conservatives alike for its fairness, accuracy and humanity.
In 2005, Elsner's second book, 'Guarded by Angels' appeared. A memoir of survival and resistance during World War II, it was immediately hailed as a major new addition to the literature of the Holocaust.
PHOTO EXHIBITION by JENNIFER OKRAY
Jennifer Okray is currently studying for a Master's degree in Journalism at Northwestern University. She has special interest in documentary and photojournalism in global cultures and affairs. She has experienced the Romanian culture by living for four months in Brasov. Her work will capture the essence of the Romanian culture seen through the eyes of a young American journalist.
What triggered Jennifer's interest in Romania? "When I was 10, I saw a part of a documentary about Ceausescu and felt compelled to go to Romania. Years went by and I decided it's now or never and went in June 2009 for three weeks. Alone, not knowing a single person there or a single word of the language. I also did not do much research beforehand as I did not want to arrive with any expectations. And I was amazed. A few weeks later, I moved to Brasov for four months to immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle of the citizens, and returned to the US days before starting my master's in journalism at Northwestern University." Jennifer will graduate in December 2010 with special interest in documentary and photojournalism in global cultures and affairs.
For more information please visit Jennifer's webpage at http://jokray.com.
What triggered Jennifer's interest in Romania? "When I was 10, I saw a part of a documentary about Ceausescu and felt compelled to go to Romania. Years went by and I decided it's now or never and went in June 2009 for three weeks. Alone, not knowing a single person there or a single word of the language. I also did not do much research beforehand as I did not want to arrive with any expectations. And I was amazed. A few weeks later, I moved to Brasov for four months to immerse myself in the culture and lifestyle of the citizens, and returned to the US days before starting my master's in journalism at Northwestern University." Jennifer will graduate in December 2010 with special interest in documentary and photojournalism in global cultures and affairs.
For more information please visit Jennifer's webpage at http://jokray.com.
