Radio România Internațional

Tag: anthem

July 29, 2022

VISIT The president of the R. of Moldova, Maia Sandu, is today on an
official visit in Romania, at the invitation of her counterpart Klaus Iohannis.
At the press conference following the official meeting, the Romanian president
said the talks were solid and focused on many topics of bilateral interest,
taking into account the long-lasting and sincere connections between the 2
countries. He congratulated Maia Sandu on Moldova’s EU accession candidate
status granted at the European Council meeting on June 23-24. This is a historic
achievement, a landmark in the history of the country, Klaus Iohannis said, and
added that Romania will continue to support Moldova through all the means available
to it. Mr. Iohannis also pointed out that the 2 presidents agreed to take
decisive steps in terms of inter-connecting the electricity networks of their
countries, and discussed the potential of the Iaşi-Ungheni-Chişinău pipeline
as a vital element of Moldova’s energy security. In
turn, the
president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said Bucharest stood by Chisinau over the
years, and Romania’s voice ‘resounded strongly’ in Brussels in support of
Moldova’s EU candidate status. Maia Sandu voiced her confidence that the
Moldovan-Romanian partnership will contribute to overcoming the difficulties
entailed by the war in Ukraine.

ANTHEM Every year on July 29 Romania celebrates National Anthem Day.
According to the defence ministry, ceremonies are held today in all military
units across the country. In Bucharest, a religious service was held in front
of the National Military Palace, while in Râmnicu Vâlcea local authorities
organized events devoted to the song Awaken Thee, Romanian!, which was first
performed officially in this town 174 years ago. National Anthem Day was
proclaimed by Parliament in 1998. The song was written by Anton Pann, on lyrics
by the poet Andrei Mureşanu. The message of the National Anthem has a strong
impact, and calls for national unity, courage, dignity and responsibility,
president Klaus Iohannis said in a news release. In turn, PM Nicolae Ciucă said
the anthem, national colours and the coat of arms define the identity of the
Romanian nation and signify the strong connection between the past, present and
future.

FESTIVAL Sighişoara,
in central Romania, is hosting this weekend the 28th edition of the
first medieval festival in Romania. The Sighişoara citadel will be the stage of
theatre performances, music and dance shows, improvisation, arts and crafts
demonstrations. While the previous edition was attended by some 11,000
visitors, the organisers hope 16,000 people will take part this year. A
spectacular fireworks show is planned for the closing ceremony on Sunday night.
Sighisoara is the only inhabited medieval citadel in south-eastern Europe.

FOOTBALL All the Romanian football teams taking part in the European
Conference League qualifiers have moved into the 3rd preliminary
round. On Thursday Universitatea Craiova defeated the Albanian side
Vllaznia 3-0 on home turf, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. In the 3rd
preliminary round, Craiova will play against the Ukrainian team Zaria Luhansk. In
Bucharest, FCSB defeated Saburtalo (Georgia) 4-2, and is next to take on the
Slovakian team Dunajská Streda. The Romanian Cup winners Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe had
the most difficult match on Thursday, against Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia, and
lost 2-0, away from home, after having won 3-1 in the first leg. In the penalty
shootouts, the Slovenians missed twice, and Sepsi moved forward in the
competition. Their next opponent is Djurgården (Sweden). And on Wednesday, CFR Cluj drew 1-1 away from home
against Inter Club d’Escaldes, of Andorra, after 3-0 at home, and are pitted
next against Belarusian champions Shahtior Soligorsk. (AMP)

29 July 2022
July 29, 2021

EXTREME WEATHER Meteorologists have issued a code orange alert against storms and hailstorms, valid on Thursday in the eastern part of the country. Strong wind, hail and thunderstorms are expected, with rainfalls between 25 and 40 litres per square metre. A code yellow alert against unstable weather is also in place on Thursday in the centre, north and south of the country, while a code orange alert against extreme heat and thermal discomfort is in place until Sunday in seven counties in the south and the capital Bucharest. Heavy storms hit several towns and villages on Wednesday, including the capital city Bucharest. The wind brought down trees, damaging cars and leaving many houses without roofs. The storms disrupted railway traffic, with many trains delayed for hours or even cancelled.

COVID-19 The number of new COVID-19 cases announced on Wednesday was 50% higher than on the corresponding day last week, namely 159. 47 patients are in intensive care, and one COVID-related death was reported. The Government meanwhile approved plans to further ease COVID-related restrictions starting August 1. Arts, sports and private events are generally open for vaccinated people, for those who have recovered from the disease or for those who test negative for it. The new measures valid as of August 1 will be applicable in areas with an infection rate below 2 per thousand, as against 3 per thousand at present. The maximum number of participants in outdoor events will also be raised to 75,000.

AMBULANCE Every person who gets immunised contributes to ending this severe health crisis, president Klaus Iohannis said on National Ambulance Day. On the same occasion, he decorated 45 physicians and nurses. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, even if the number of new cases is lower these days, the head of state emphasised, as he once again urged citizens to get vaccinated. Romania is getting near the target of 5 million people who received at least one dose of anti-COVID vaccine, with 10,700 people getting the jab in the past 24 hours. On the other hand, president Iohannis mentioned that the pandemic shed light on many problems in the healthcare system, but said this is a chance to rebuild it.

ANTHEM Romania celebrates National Anthem Day today, with special events organised in many cities to mark this holiday first introduced in 1998. The capital Bucharest hosted a public ceremony in which successive national anthems have been performed. Wake up, ye Romanian! was first officially performed in Râmnicu Vâlcea on 29 July 1848, by a group of young revolutionaries, and was chosen as national anthem shortly after the anti-communist uprising of December 1989. The lyrics were written by poet, journalist and translator Andrei Mureşanu (1816-1863) and the music by the poet, musician and ethnographer Anton Pann (1796-1854).

SEARCHES Prosecutors and police are today conducting over 20 house searches in view of dismantling an organised crime group operating in the field of human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal border crossing and facilitating illegal stay in Romania. Sources in the judiciary say the group was made up of Syrian, Iraqi, Egyptian and Romanian citizens, who helped illegal migrants to cross the border into Bulgaria and Serbia. The group would charge up to 5,000 euro per migrant.

OLYMPICS Romania has today won a new medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Rowers Marius Cozmiuc and Ciprian Tudosă won the silver in the mens coxless pair final. This is the 3rd medal for Romanias rowing team, after the gold won by Ancuţa Bondar and Simona Radiş in the women’s double scull event, and the silver brought home by the mens four crew, made up of Mihăiţă Ţigănescu, Mugurel Semciuc, Ştefan Berariu and Cosmin Pascari. Romania was represented in the Tokyo rowing competition by 36 athletes and 9 boats. Adding to this performance is Ana-Maria Popescu’s silver medal in the women’s epee event. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

29 July 2021
Jul 29, 2020 UPDATE

Statement. President Klaus Iohannis told a press
conference on Wednesday that he would meet interior minister Marcel Vela and
the head of the Department for Emergency Situations Raed Arafat on Thursday to
discuss the situation generated by the novel coronavirus. The president, who
said it was imperative to keep the pandemic in check, emphasised that the
situation is very serious. He said the health ministry took the necessary steps
to purchase a vaccine for Covid-19 together with the other EU member states, if
such a vaccine becomes available. On the other hand, he believes the local
elections can be held in September unless the situation deteriorates and if
strict measures are taken. The date of local elections has been set for the 27th
of September. First due last month, they were postponed because of the
coronavirus outbreak and the mandates of mayors, heads of county councils and
local and county councillors were extended by six months.

Covid-19 Romania. The National
Committee for Emergency Situations has proposed that face masks should become
compulsory in open-air spaces during certain intervals, which are to be
established by the local authorities based on an opinion from public health
directorates. Exempt from this rule will be people carrying out intense
physical activities or who are working in areas with high temperatures and
humidity, as well as children under 5 years of age. The Committee also wants to
ban the selling of foodstuffs and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks between 11
PM and 6 AM. Outside of this interval, the places selling these products are not
to be allowed more clients than number
of available seats and must prevent activities that involve physical
interaction between clients. On beaches, people must observe a minimum
two-meter distance, with the exception of families. The Government is
considering the Committee’s recommendations and will make a decision soon.
Meanwhile, the number of new infections has topped 1,000 for the eighth
consecutive day. Some 48,200 people have been infected so far. 7,000 people are
in hospital care, of whom 377 in intensive care. 2,269 people have died.

Covid-19 world. More than 17
million people have been infected so far with Covid-19 worldwide, more than 665,000
people have died and over 10.5 million have recovered. While efforts to develop
a vaccine continue, several Governments are imposing harsher measures to
prevent a second wave of the pandemic. The World Health Organisation is urging
countries to do mass-testing and see that the population observes precautionary
measures. The United States is the worst hit country with more than 4.3 million
cases and the highest death toll in the
world. In Europe, Italy has extended the state of emergency until October 15.
Great Britain has introduced compulsory quarantine for all arrivals from Spain.
Germany too has introduced some regions of Spain on its so-called ‘black list’.
Madrid is now the latest region in continental Spain to make face masks
compulsory in open spaces as well. Bulgaria is now demanding citizens from 10
states to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test, which has to be no older
than 72 hours at the time of entry. In Greece, face masks are again compulsory
in shops, banks, public service buildings and other enclosed spaces.

National Anthem Day. Every year, on July 29, Romania
celebrates National Anthem Day. Various cultural events were held, as well as
military festivities organised by the Ministries of Defence and the Interior,
while strictly observing COVID-prevention measures. As part of ceremonies held
in Bucharest and in other big cities, the national anthem was performed during
a flag-raising ceremony. A well-known Romanian pan flute player, Nicolae
Voiculet, played the national anthem alongside 40 other musicians at an
altitude of 2,300 meters near the Heroes’ Cross on top of Bucegi Mountains.
Celebrated on July 29, National Anthem Day was first proclaimed in 1998.
Romania’s current anthem, Awaken thee, Romanian!, is considered a
national symbol after the fall of the communist regime in December 1989. Set to
music collected by folklorist Anton Pann, the anthem was inspired by a
patriotic poem by Andrei Muresanu published in 1848.

Weather. A yellow code alert for heat is in
place in the capital Bucharest and 21 other counties in southern and eastern
Romania. The physical discomfort is accentuated by the combination of humidity
and heat, with highs of 38 degrees Celsius expected during the day.

29 July 2020
March 20, 2020

COVID-19 Romania In about 10 days we will be able to predict the peak of the coronavirus epidemic in Romania, the health minister Victor Costache told a private TV station on Thursday night. He added that the authorities are unable to make this estimate at present because it depends on the number of Romanians returning from abroad. Costache explained that if the number of cases reaches 4,000, which is the maximum that the Romanian healthcare system can handle, the patients with mild forms of the disease will be treated at home. The authorities will announce new restrictions in the coming days, Victor Costache also said. Meanwhile, the government has announced tougher penalties for thwarting efforts to combat the epidemic and for false representations in relation to the COVID-19. The decision comes after fines and scores of criminal investigations have been initiated against people who disregarded self-isolation rules or lied about coming from red zones in order to avoid the quarantine. The new penalties go as far as to 15 years in prison. So far 308 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Romania, with 2 patients in critical condition.

COVID-19 world The total death toll of the coronavirus pandemic has gone over 10,000 today, according to the latest data made public by the John Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering in the US. A total of 10,030 people out of 244,517 confirmed cases died from the novel coronavirus disease. Italy reports the largest number of deaths, over 3,400. Other countries with significant death figures include China, Iran, Spain, France, the US and Britain. Whereas China reports no new locally transmitted cases, and the new cases are citizens coming from abroad, in Europe the situation continues to worsen. The EU has closed its borders for foreign citizens and banned all non-essential travel in the Schengen area, to slow down the spreading of the disease. EU leaders will hold a new conference call on March 26 to discuss the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. On the same day, the European Parliament intends to increase the aid package planned by the Union for the business environment. The European Central Bank has already announced 750 billion euros in emergency funds will be channelled into government and private debt, in an attempt to contain the economic effects of the pandemic. Estimates point to a possible 5% drop of the Eurozone GDP this year.

RADIO Radio Romania News and Current affairs and all public radio stations in Europe broadcast the song Youll Never Walk Alone as a show of unity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. European broadcasters aired today the Gerry and The Pacemakers piece simultaneously, urging people to stay at home in order to help contain the pandemic. Known as an anthem of Liverpool football club, among others, the song You’ll Never Walk Alone was written in 1945 and has been covered by many artists over the years.

PRAYER Catholics around the world Thursday night joined Pope Francis in prayer for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more people in Italy then in any other part of the world, Reuters reports. Italian bishops urged Catholics in the country to light candles in the windows and pray at home, as a sign of unity and solidarity. The initiative was announced early this week and was disseminated by social media around the world. The Pope is self-isolating at the Vatican. Last Sunday he walked on Romes empty streets to pray in 2 churches for an end to the pandemic. The Vatican announced that for the first time, the Easter mass will be held without public participation.

FILM The Cannes Film Festival will most likely be postponed to June or July over COVID-19 concerns, the organisers have announced. The 73rd Cannes Festival was scheduled to take place between May 12 and 23. Hollywood will no longer make public box office figures, after theatres have been closed down in many countries, making last weekend the worst in 2 decades in this respect. Over the past few days the US, Canada, UK, Italy, France, South Korea closed down cinema halls due to restrictions concerning indoor events, while theatres in China, Hollywoods biggest foreign market, have been closed for weeks because of the pandemic.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

20 March 2020
29 July, 2019

Killing. The chief of the special telecommunications service Ionel
Vasilica has resigned today in the context of the killings in Caracal that
shook the entire country. The interior minister Nicolae Moga and former and
current officials from the police and the General Directorate for Internal
Protection will today be heard by the defence committee of the Chamber of
Deputies in Bucharest. The MPs are looking into how those involved have fulfilled
their duties. A preliminary report in this respect is to be presented tomorrow
before the Country’s Supreme Defence Council at the request of president Klaus
Iohannis. The latter is expected to propose measures to prevent such tragedies
in the future. He says the resignations of all those who have mismanaged the
case are obligatory but in no way sufficient. Klaus Iohannis has emphasised the
need to address the profound causes that have made this tragedy possible. For
her part, the prime minister Viorica Dancila has decided to create an
inter-institutional working group to draw up a set of urgent measures to reduce
reaction time in critical situations. Last but not least, the Judicial
Inspectorate is looking into how the magistrates involved in solving the case
have met the procedures in place. Last Wednesday, 15-year-old Alexandra
Macesanu was abducted from the street, sequestered, raped and then killed.
Despite making three emergency calls, the authorities were unable to track her
location and only entered the house of her captor 19 hours after the girl’s
last emergency call. 18-year-old Luiza Mihaela Melencu met with the same fate
in April. Gheorghe Dinca, aged around 60, admitted on Sunday that he killed the
two girls.

Elections. Romanians living abroad
can register, beginning on Sunday, at www.votstrainatate.ro. The website has
been created by the Electoral Authority to have a better record of the
Romanians abroad and so that they can be better informed about the voting
process, in the run-up to the presidential elections in November. The ministry
for Romanians abroad has also launched an information campaign, with the
ministry saying over 5 million and a half Romanians have left the country.
Together with those living in the historical communities, the number of
Romanians living outside Romania’s borders is close to ten million. The
minister for Romanians abroad Natalia Intotero has told Radio Romania that the
role of her ministry is to support all institutions with responsibilities in
the organisation of the upcoming elections through all available means,
including the associations of Romanians living abroad and through collaboration
with the diplomatic missions and the representatives of the general consulates.

Anthem. National
Anthem Day is celebrated today in Romania, with various events being held in
the big cities and at all army garrisons across the country. In Bucharest, the
Flag Square hosted a special military and religious ceremony. Celebrated on the
29th of July, National Anthem Day was first established in 1998. The
current anthem of Romania, considered a national symbol and entitled Wake up, Romanians!,
was chosen after the collapse of the communist regime in December 1989. The
origin of the anthem is a patriotic poem by Andrei Muresanu published in 1848,
while the melody was collected by Anton Pann.

Festival. Rasnov, in central
Romania, has played host to the 11th Film and History Festival. Film
screenings, theatre performances and classical and rock music concerts were
held in a new venue in the centre of the city. The festival also hosted debates
about the revolution of December 1989, economic freedom, the music of freedom,
freedom won versus freedom lost, 30 years after 1989, and cinema and freedom.
Subjects were approached such as Romanian emigration, the future of Europe post-Brexit,
the new technologies and the minorities. The 50th anniversary of the
moon landing and the 70th anniversary of NATO were also celebrated.
This year’s edition of the festival also hosted a summer school attended by 72
students and 23 high school children from Romania and the Republic of Moldova,
a neighbouring ex-Soviet state with a majority Romanian-speaking population.

29 July 2019