Facettes de l'exil dans la diaspora féminine roumaine contemporaine

Facets of exile in contemporary Romanian feminine diaspora

Abstract

The transformation of self in connection with space highlights a heightened sensitivity to the external world in relation to human identity. This interdependence, in which the geographical boundaries impose themselves as essential conditions for existence, intersects with identity, which perpetually seeks to distinguish itself from others and establish a sense of belonging. These dual aspects offer a unique perspective on how space is perceived. The DNA of selfhood lies in sensitivity, in the capacity to connect with others and, crucially, with the land itself. This exploration delves into the theme of exile, identifying and analysing the characteristics of voluntary or involuntary departure onto foreign soil through a literary lens.

This study specifically emphasises the intersection of physical and psycho-emotional exile, focusing on the lives of Romanian female writers who have experienced a rupture of self and homeland. Romanian writers Felicia Mihali, Liliana Lazăr, and Alexandra Badea have chosen the French cultural sphere as a new direction for their lives, whether on Canadian or French soil. Their novels serve as spaces of refuge, creating a necessary suspended territory that allows them to develop the capacity to adapt to a new life with different customs and habits. This study emphasizes the theme of exile within an original, feminine Romanian universe that demonstrates resilience and a keen understanding of human complexity, all while facing alienation. These three authors have forged a space for a rich, new literature bridge to neo-sensitivity that combines a profound past with hope for the future.