Carol II, the King of Controversy A talk by Dr Lia Chisacof
- officelondon
- May 14
- 1 min read
Last night, we marked the Romanian Monarchy Day with an event dedicated to King Carol II, one of the most complex and debated figures in modern Romanian history.
The event was opened by RCI London Director Aura Woodward, followed by a well-documented lecture delivered by Dr. Lia Chisacof. Her presentation explored King Carol II’s foreign policy, his friendships and diplomatic circles, his 1938 visit to London, as well as his cultural policies and the ways in which his controversial personality was reflected in the literary and theatre productions of the time. She also spoke about the economic and cultural development Romania experienced during that period, highlighting the atmosphere of prosperity and modernisation that characterised the country in the interwar years. Drawing on the perspectives of several of the king’s contemporaries, including prominent diplomats, the talk offered a nuanced portrait of a ruler who continues to inspire debate today.
The event also featured a special exhibition of old books, magazines and photographs, curated by Lia and Mircea Chisacof, which enriched the evening with rare visual and documentary material.
Our warm thanks go to Dr. Lia and Mircea Chisacof, to everyone who joined us last night, and to Alex Coman for capturing the atmosphere of the event through these photographs.
Comments