Relations between Transylvania and the Nordic countries in the 19th century as seen in Romanian periodicals. A quantitative and qualitative analysis

:History usually demonstrates that if two areas are remote they tend not to be in contact so often. At a first glance this seems to be the case of 19th century Transylvania’s connexions with the Nordic countries, but was this really the case? Or it is more likely that the relations between those two areas were not examined thoroughly enough until now? The present study aims at offering some answers to these important research questions by rendering a comprehensive image of the ways in which Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland were portrayed in three largely circulated Romanian periodicals from Transylvania. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the 623 pieces of news published by Foaie pentru minte, inim i literatur , Familia and Gazeta de Transilvania between 1838 and 1919 this paper shows that Transylvanians were rather well informed in what concerned the Nordic countries in the 19th century, that they positively appreciated the literary works that stemmed from this area and that they strongly positioned the Nordic countries within Europe.Rezumat:Istoria demonstreaz c , de obicei n cazul n care dou zone sunt ndep rtate, ele tind s nu fie n contact atat de des. La o prim vedere acesta pare a fi cazul conexiunilor din secolul al XIX-lea ale Transilvaniei cu rile nordice, dar a fost, ntr-adev r, acesta cazul?Sau este mai probabil ca rela iile dintre cele dou arii s nu fi fost destul de atent examinate pan acum?Studiul de fa i propune s ofere cateva r spunsuri la aceste ntreb ri de cercetare importante, f cand o imagine cuprinz toare a modului n care Suedia, Danemarca, Norvegia i Finlanda au fost prezentate n trei periodice romane ti de mare circula ie din Transilvania. Bazate pe analiza cantitativ i calitativ a 623 de tiri publicate de c tre Foaie pentru minte, inim i literatur ”, Familia” i Gazeta de Transilvania” ntre anii 1838 i 1919, acest articol arat c ardelenii au fost destul de bine informa i n ceea ce prive te rile nordice n secolul al XIX-lea, c au apreciat pozitiv operele literare provenite din aceast zon i c integrau cu fermitate rile nordice n interiorul Europei.