Novelist Doina Ruști was the special guest at the opening ceremony for the 2026–2027 academic year at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași. The ceremony took place on Saturday, September 26, in the “Mihai Eminescu” Aula Magna, attended by students, faculty members and university leaders. A graduate of UAIC’s Faculty of Philology, Ruști returned to the university where she studied to address a new generation of students. UAIC
In her speech, Doina Ruști spoke about identity and the Iași school of philology. She also discussed Nas de bulgar, her 2026 novel, in which she revisits Iași and student life through fiction. The occasion thus connected her own university years with one of her most recent books. UAIC
Her message to the students focused on the lasting influence of a university education. Whatever paths they choose after graduation, they “will carry the Iași school with them, whether they want to or not,” Ruști said. She also spoke of how moved she was to return to UAIC for the opening of the academic year. Ziarul de Iași
The invitation highlighted the connection between Ruști’s literary career and her studies in Iași.
Doina Ruști is known for novels that bring together history, memory, the fantastic and social reality, from Fantoma din moară and Ferenike to the Phanariot trilogy comprising Manuscrisul fanariot, Mâța Vinerii and Homeric. Her books have won awards, been translated and are studied in schools. Among them is Mâța Vinerii, published in English as The Book of Perilous Dishes. UAIC
The ceremony opened a three-day program for first-year students. From September 26 to 28, “Welcome to UAIC” offers orientation activities, guided tours and opportunities for new students to get to know the university and the city.
In this setting, Ruști’s speech offered the perspective of a graduate returning to Iași to speak about how the place where we are educated remains part of who we are.
