Promoting handwriting in the digital age: “Calligraphy Hour” at the University of Bucharest

A unique event, dedicated to handwriting in the digital era, brought together scholars, teachers, actors, writers, and journalists, in a shared exercise of reflection, discipline, and personal expression. Sitting side by side at the same desks in the Faculty of Letter’s Library, they all highlighted the essential role of handwriting in developing thinking and emotional balance.

The initiative promoted handwriting as a practice of reflection, discipline, and personal expression. The scholars who were part of the experience were first invited to discover one of the University’s most impressive reading rooms, whose architecture and book-centered atmosphere left a strong impression.

Guided by their teacher, the children explored the meaning of words such as respect, kindness, and friendship - writing them down and then explaining them in their own words: “Respect means speaking nicely to our parents and especially to our grandparents,” and “A friend makes you laugh when you feel down,” they said, offering simple yet genuine definitions.

Handwriting: between reflection and character formation

The guests highlighted the essential role of handwriting in developing thinking and emotional balance. In this context, Rector Marian Preda emphasised the importance of authenticity in a technology-driven world:

Whenever I write for myself, I always prefer handwriting. Those who will win the ‘battle’ with artificial intelligence will be the autonomous and authentic ones.

“Writing a word by hand means thinking about that word. At a time when artificial intelligence generates texts instantly, handwriting builds thought,” said Călin Hera, one of the programme’s initiator. His colleague, Oana Ivan, stressed the formative dimension of the exercise: “Behind a handwritten page lies a series of small but essential virtues: patience, perseverance, and order.”

Writer Ioana Nicolaie drew attention on the cultural dimension of writing: “A world in which we no longer write by hand would be a grey, grey, grey world,” while journalist Cătălin Striblea spoke about the emotional power of handwritten letters, which still reach newsrooms as a form of genuine human connection. The guests also emphasised that handwriting helps organising thoughts and reduces anxiety and depression.

The emotional and heritage value of handwriting was not forgotten either. Actress Ada Condeescu recalled her fascination with manuscripts, which offer a deeper understanding of their authors; while writer Ana Barton described handwriting as a tool for inner balance – something that “regulates emotional temperature” and “reveals who you are.”

At the end of the event, participants were invited to write a letter to a loved one, carrying forward the event’s message.

The University of Bucharest among the world’s top 25 universities for “Quality Education”

According to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, the University of Bucharest ranks among the top 25 universities worldwide for “Quality Education,” one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

In the overall ranking, the university places 93rd globally and ranks first in Romania, marking the first time a Romanian university has entered the global top 100 of this ranking.

Its strongest result was achieved for “Goal 5 – Gender Equality,” where the University of Bucharest ranks 3rd worldwide.

*image © PiArt Vison - Roxa Bădiliță