STUDIA IN MEMORIAM THEODORI PIPERKOVI
Issue - Special / 2018
On December 17, 2013 Theodor Piperkov left us. And he has not been
with us for five years now. Theo noster!
We do not see his hurried walk. As we remember him, he would always
be heading somewhere - lectures, seminars, or meetings – or just bringing a
glass of water or a cup of tea to a colleague. We do not see the waving sides of
his raincoat, the unmistakable cap or the elegant soft hat. He was always wearing a jacket and a tie - even in the incredible heat in the month of June during the
regular exams of Roman private law.
We do not hear his hoarse but always emotional voice anymore - even
when coming for an exam in the early morning he congratulates the porters and
the hygienists, and they look at him with perplexity when he takes off his hat in
their honour. Students do not hear his inherent joking that follows his greeting in
the lecture hall and creates a unique mood for work.
About the deceased usually kind words, praises and exaggerated
speeches are spoken. About Theo, whatever we say, will not suffice. He was too
incredible to be described in words. Let alone to be depicted or “impressed” in a
photograph.
The limitations of life have failed to restrain his bright spirit, his vivacous
character and the depth of his thought. He was honest, accurate to pedantism,
precise in every word and action, well-meaning, devoted, infinitely witty and
entertaining with his incredible erudition and oratory talent, Theo himself was the
spirit of teaching – the way it had been in the ancient academies, and in
medieval universities, and in the most prestigious modern universitites.
Theo was a wizard of the word and created an inimitable atmosphere of
spiritual elevation. His speech was both sophisticated and figurative, and
emotional, while at the same time - strictly academic. He spoke in German or in
English like a native speaker, and because of his language proficiency he gained
the admiration of his colleagues - renowned scholars from abroad.
He was
always speaking, even when he was examining the students, because for him
the exam was not a test of their knowledge, but another form of communication,
.
a chance to teach them something more, to give them confidence and selfesteemTheo did not fit into the template of the lecturer who „goes through“ the
lectures with bored and disinterested students. To listen to him came those who
“were burning” with him who wanted to hear him, to see him and at the same
time to be in contact with this incredible man. He said, “I'm proud to be an
assistant. The assistant is an animal which still remembers that it was once a
student!“ Theo did not run lists of the students even when this was required by
the Administration. He did not notice any presence of the students – he just had
it. Some students went even twice to his lectures, with another group, just to
hear him again and again. He did not beg for silence in the hall because everybody listened to him keeping their breath. His lessons triggered discussions and
there was a completely natural communication between a beloved teacher and
students.
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