Hi,
In an interview a few years ago, I was asked whether, after fifteen years spent in China, Denmark and the Philippines, I still consider Romania “home”. My answer was categorical: “Yes! Of course!” This reaction came from the bottom of my heart, no doubt about it. However, the question itself got me thinking: where does this strong connection with the homeland come from and how does it merge with the imprint of the blood that flows through our veins?
In my few moments of reflection, I came to two fundamental concepts: blood and soil. These are the elements that define our identity, that connect us to our roots and make us feel that we belong somewhere.
Blood is more than just a fluid that circulates through our body. It is a carrier of information, a genetic identity card. In my case, with a strong Italian ethnic imprint. My great-grandfather’s father, Giovanni Culluri, a very talented artist and an exceptional architect, was invited by Constantin Mille and Anghel Salini to build the bridge at Cernavodă. He was only supposed to stay for the construction of the King Carol I bridge, but the development opportunities in Romania were too tempting and the young Giovanni never returned to his native Venice. My ancestors created art, wrote poetry, loved passionately and built a lot on Romanian soil. This Italian blood gives me, I believe, a certain sensitivity, an attraction to beauty, creativity and a passion for life.
The earth, on the other hand, is where we were born, where we grew up, where we laughed and cried. It bears witness to our passage through life. The earth is not just geography, it is loaded with meaning. This is where we formed our identity, learned the language, loved or even fought – as in the case of my great-grandfather, Aristide Giovanni Michelangelo Culluri, who fought for Romanian soil in World War II.
Our identity is an amalgam of these two elements. There is a strong connection to the land on which you are born and, at the same time, there is an equally strong imprint of the blood that you inherit from your mother, grandmother, grandfather, great-grandmother and that gives you your identity as an individual.
Thus, “Blood and Earth” are not just separate words, but are interwoven elements in every human being. Every drop of blood and every blade of grass you step on has a meaning. Every memory and every tradition is held within us, like an invisible chain that binds us to the past and guides us into the future.
So, dear reader, how do you feel this connection between blood and soil? What does it mean to you to feel at home? Perhaps you too have a story to tell, a memory that defines your identity.
Let’s continue to explore these themes and share our experiences!
Claudiu
