CǍLUGǍRU, ION

CǍ LUGǍRU (originally Croitoru), ION (1903–1956), Romanian novelist and journalist. Born in Dorohoi, Moldavia, Cǎlugǎru studied in Bucharest and published his first article in a literary review at the age of 17. He later contributed to such leading Romanian-Jewish organs as the Zionist daily Mântuirea, Lumea Evree, and the political and literary journal Adam, and over the years wrote thousands of articles and essays for Romanian newspapers and periodicals. He was one of the few Romanian-Jewish writers dedicated to portraying Jewish life. His novels constitute a panorama of Romanian Jewry, from the countryfolk of the small communities of Moldavia to the bourgeoisie and emancipated intellectuals of the major cities. These works, notable for their colorful descriptions, include Caii lui Cibicioc ("Cibicioc's Horses," 1922); and two satirical books, Paradisul statistic ("Statistical Heaven," 1926) and Don Juan Cocoşatul ("Don Juan the Hunchback," 1933). Cǎlugǎru's outstanding novel was the autobiographical Copilǎria unui netrebnic ("Childhood of a Rascal," 1936) which, despite its ironic approach, showed the author's sympathy for the poor and oppressed. -BIBLIOGRAPHY: S. Panǎ, in: Revista Cultului Mozaic, no. 172 (1967); G. Cǎlinescu, Istoria Literaturii Romîne – Compendiu (1968). (Abraham Feller)