Tristan Tzara was a Romanian-born poet and one of the founders of the Dada movement, which emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction to the horrors of World War I. He was born on April 16, 1896, in Moinești, Romania, and later moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where he became a central figure in the avant-garde art scene. Tzara is best known for his manifestos and his innovative approach to poetry, which often embraced randomness and absurdity. His work challenged traditional artistic norms and sought to provoke thought and emotion, making him a significant influence in modern art and literature.