Ioana Besleaga
Ioana Beșleagă is a PhD student in History at the Institute of Southeast European Studies of the School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy’ (SCOSAAR). Her research focuses on popular culture, the history of ideas, philanthropy, and 20th-century societies. She graduated from the Faculty of History at the University of Bucharest, with a Master’s degree in the History of Ideas, Mentalities, and Popular Culture. She also completed a semester in Political Science at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Throughout her studies, she participated in numerous international courses and projects, such as the Erasmus+ European program, which allowed her to deepen her knowledge in areas such as the ethics of narratives and food studies.
PhD Student ISSEE-SCOSAAR
Session
This study explores the first documented donation in Focșani, Romania, made by Alexandru Al. Plagino in the early 20th century, and traces the evolution of the donated property’s use. Originally intended to establish a vocational school for boys, the plan was not implemented due to administrative and staffing limitations. The property later served philanthropic purposes, including temporarily housing a healthcare unit for disadvantaged individuals, before becoming a driving school.
By situating this local philanthropic initiative within broader European and transnational trends of social reform and cultural modernization, the study highlights how local actions were connected to wider networks of social and cultural exchange. This case demonstrates the interplay between local philanthropy and broader societal transformations, offering insights into early 20th-century processes of globalization and the ways communities adapted external influences to meet local needs.