Costache Conachi


Costache Conachi was a Romanian boyar, politician, poet and writer noted for emphasizing reason and improving the craft of Romanian writing.

Biography

Born as a member of the Conachi family, he was an affluent boyar from Moldavia. If the Paharnicul Constantin Sion writes that the "Konaki family" is of Greek origin, "but for more than 160 years they came and have been related to many of the big families", Paul Păltănea brought documents "which implies that the Conachi family descends from a family of "răzeși" from the village of Știoborăni, with documentary attestation from the time of Ștefăniță Vodă or even of Stephen the Great. The female line of the family is also of 'răzeși'."
As a child, Costache Conachi's education was the object of care. He studied Greek with a Greek archimandrite who lived in his father's house. A Turkish schoolmaster taught him his language and he learned French alongside a refugee revolutionary, Mr. Fleury. At the Princely Academy of Iași, he studied modern Greek, Slavonic, philosophy, mathematics and law. He had aptitude for the profession of engineer and his in-depth knowledge of Moldavian law led to his participation in the drafting of the Callimachi code which he had translated into Romanian when he became Logothete. Later, he was part of the commission in charge of drafting the "Regulamentul Organic".
Great boyar and great landowner, a contradictory figure at the time because he pleaded for the illumination of the people, he proposed a project to reform the education in Moldavia on the principle "The study must have a moral purpose".
All the data about Costache Conachi, corroborated with the testimonies of reliable foreign observers, highlight his culture, seriousness, tact and frugality - rare qualities in the corrupt and ignorant environment of the boyar oligarchy in the time of the phanariots. His sober existence contrasted too violently with the habits of his time and foreigners have understood this best. In the well-documented memoir he wrote in 1834, the French consular agent Bois le Comte depicts him as follows: „Under soft, caressing and shy forms, he hides instruction, a rather delicate spirit“. Another French consular agent is of the same opinion and praises the political prudence of the Grand Boyar. As for Saint-Marc Girardin, he discovered in Conachi „a figure such as I imagine those of the eighteenth century: something mocking and sardonic; but his sarcasm was directed against vice“.
Preoccupied with astronomy, he bought from Vienna all the instruments necessary to establish an observation tower, including a telescope, bequeathed to the Society of Physicians and Naturalists; as a "geometer and boundary marker" he established boundaries and drew up plans of the boyars' estates
In the literary field, Costache Conachi is regarded by many as the first true Romanian poet of his time. He is credited with infusing eroticism into Romanian poetry. Although he lived and worked in an era of Romanian literature that is hazy at best, his name is not easily forgotten.
Coming from a wealthy family, Conachi had access to readings on foreign cultures and the works of great authors. This foundation of knowledge shaped his poems. It resulted in verses in Romanian marked with unprecedented elements such as eroticism.
The great logothete Costache Conachi died on February 4, 1849, being buried next to his wife, in the Banu Church cemetery. Later, the remains of Costache Conachi and his wife were transported to Țigănești, near the church he had founded.

Brief presentation

Studies

He studied under the guidance of foreign teachers while in the parental home.
He studied French language and literature with Professor Fleury.
He attended the courses of the Princely Academy of Iași where he learned French, German, Greek and Turkish.

Socio-professional activity

Posthumous collections

Poetry
  • Alcătuiri și tălmăciri, edited by N. Ionescu, Iași, 1856
  • Alcătuiri și tălmăciri, 2nd ed., edited by M. Pompiliu, foreword by Ecaterina Vogoride-Conachi, introduction Short events from the life and family of the Logothete Conachi by Em. Vogoride-Conachi, Iași, 1887;
  • Poems, edited by I. Pillat, Bucharest, 1942;
  • Selected writings, preface, glossary and bibliography by Ecaterina and Al. Teodorescu, Bucharest, 1963.
Translations
  • Mme Cottin, Mathilde, I-III, translated by Costache Conachi, Iași, 1844.

    Awards

  • Order of St. Vladimir 3rd class for the contribution to the drafting of the Regulamentul Organic.