Romanian librarian Avram Iancu will make a new attempt to swim the English Channel this summer. Moreover, through this gesture, he wants to support the fundraising campaign currently ongoing in Romania for the famous Wisdom of the Earth (Cumintenia Pamantului) sculpture signed Constantin Brancusi.

"I want to swim for a national symbol, for Constantin Brancusi and his work Wisdom of the Earth. I’m enjoying the campaign, I support it wholeheartedly because my idea to cross the English Channel is also animated by a profound spirit of patriotism," Iancu said, cited by local Agerpres.

He will also donate money to the campaign as the Romanian Government needs to raise EUR 6 million by end-September to have the entire amount needed to buy the sculpture from its current owners.

Avram Iancu previously tried to swim across the English Channel in 2014 and 2015 but didn’t manage to finish the quest. Another Romanian, Andrei Rosu, became the first Romanian to swim the Channel last year.

However, this year, Avram Iancu is determined to cross the English Channel. He will leave to Dover, UK, next week and will start his quest at the end of the month.

“I’m the first Romanian who attacked the English Channel, and I will return there for another battle. The crossing is scheduled to take place between July 26 and July 31, as it has been set by the Channel Swimming Association, the entity that approves the international swimming records on this channel. I’ll start from the second position, which is a good thing,” Iancu said.

A Romanian, who will be selected by draw, will accompany Avram Iancu in his adventure. However, he doesn’t have all the necessary money yet but hopes that those who promised to help him will keep their word. As a result, he will not have a coach and will train alone in the UK.

How many Romanians have already made donations for Brancusi sculpture?

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com