Petre Diaconu at 80

            On the 6 th of October 2004 the archaeologist Petre Diaconu reached the age of 80 years. A distinguished lifelong researcher of the Byzantine fortress of Pacuiul lui Soare, author of many books, studies and articles, a teacher and trainer of several generations of archaeologists, Petre Diaconu is modest when it comes to his contribution to archaeology and Romanian history. "I am not as important as all that" told Petre Diaconu to us when his colleagues and pupils paid him homage in a festive atmosphere.

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            Nevertheless, his anniversary drew attention. In a world no longer paying respect to ancestors, the Museum of the Lower Danube and its manager, dr. Marian Neagu, had the remarkable initiative to celebrate Petre Diaconu for 3 days at Călăraşi and Silistra, at Dervent Monastery and on the isle of Pacui, gathering Romanian and Bulgarian archaeologists from Bucharest, Brăila, Constanţa, Tulcea, Slobozia, Alexandria, Ploieşti, Silistra, Varna, Sumen, Sofia.

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It was a hearty reunion, that included: a session of homage with the theme "Petre Diaconu and Romanian archaeological research" at Călăraşi; the inauguration of a museum at Dervent Monastery and the awarding of the “Cross of Dobrudja” medal by the Archbishopric of Tomis for contributions to the knowledge on the history of Christianity at the Lower Danube; a festive reception at Silistra and Alfatar, in the area where he was born and attended high school until the refuge of 1940. A beautiful exhibition dedicated to the life and researches of Petre Diaconu opened at the Museum of the Lower Danube at Călăraşi.

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The Museum of the Lower Danube and the Museum of Brăila will edit a book in his honour.

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Petre Diaconu 1924 - 2007 __________________________________________________________________________