|
RRI newsletter subcription
(e-mail address):
|
 |
Archives:
|
|
| UNION DAY 02/12/2009 |
| (2009-12-02) |
| Last updated: 2009-12-03 13:52 EET |
The 91st anniversary of the 1918 union was celebrated in Romania and other countries with Romanian communities through a number of exceptional events. Bucharest hosted an impressive military parade that passed under the Triumphal Arch. This monument was built after Romania’s victory, alongside the allied forces, in WWI which paved the way for the 1918 union. One of the most spectacular events was the re-enactment of the welcome given to the envoys of the three Romanian provinces of Moldavia, Wallachia and Transylvania in Alba Iulia, a former Dacian and Roman settlement which witnessed both the first union of all Romanian provinces in 1600 under ruler Michael the Brave, and the 1918 union.
The moment, 91 years ago, when representatives of the historical provinces requested to be united into a single state was reconstructed in every detail. The festival that followed, where Romanian traditional sarmale were served, was also re-enacted. This year, the celebrations dedicated to the 1st of December marking both union day and the national day, overlapped the election campaign for the presidential run-off on the 6th of December. In their addresses, apart from electoral messages, politicians spoke about unity and the common goals that brought Romanians together in the previous century.
The 1918 union was also celebrated in Chisinau, the capital of the ex-Soviet Republic of Moldova where there are over 3 million ethnic Romanians. A statue featuring the she-wolf with Romulus and Remus was hoisted back into its place. The statue, seen as a symbol of Rome, had been forbidden by the former communist government removed from power last summer. A portion of the territory of the Republic of Moldova, which was formerly a Romanian historical province, was in fact the first to call for its union with the Romanian state on the 27th of March 1918.
Alba Iulia also hosted the 13th Congress of Romanian Spirituality which brought together representatives of Romanian communities in 30 countries. Given that there are over 13 million Romanians living outside Romania’s borders, they were said to form a ‘second Romania’. The Congress focused on the role of the Romanian diaspora in Europe. Referring to the contribution made by Romanians living abroad to Romania’s image, president Traian Basescu said in his message:
“The 10 million Romanians living outside the country’s borders also contribute to building modern Romania. By their constant support, their emotional connection with the country, the preservation of the Romanian language and culture, these Romanians are a model of patriotism and committment to the national identity. I wish them all to have faith in Romania. Happy anniversary!”
|
|
| |
WMA |
|
64kbps : |
1
2
3
|
|
|
128kbps : |
1
2
3
|
| |
MP3 |
|
|
64kbps : |
1
2
3
|
|
|
128kbps : |
1
2
3
|
| |
AAC+ |
|
|
48kbps : |
1
2
3
|
|
|
64kbps : |
1
2
3
|
 Historical mascot of
RRI |
| |
© 1999 - 2011 Copyright Radio Romania International |
|
2025-04-03
Print
Listen again