Pann, Anton

Born 1796 or 1797 in Sliven, Bulgaria; died Nov. 2, 1854, in Bucharest. Rumanian poet, composer, and folklorist.

Of Bulgarian origin, Pann is the author of many collections of folk songs, stories, and anecdotes. His best works were annotated collections: Fables and Tales (1841), Evening Gatherings in the Countryside, or The Tale of the Hoary Old Man (1851–52), and especially Collected Proverbs, or Tales of Words (1847). In the last work, proverbs, alternating with edifying verses by Pann himself, constitute a kind of moral code and “guidebook for life.” Pann’s works helped create the Rumanian literary language. One of the founders of Rumanian musical folklore, he collected and adapted Rumanian folk songs. He also composed church music.