Radio România Internațional

Tag: Day

  • National Day, celebrated in Romania and abroad

    National Day, celebrated in Romania and abroad

    On the 1st December 1918, in Alba Iulia,
    central Romania, Transylvania joined the Kingdom of Romania, and that day is
    now celebrated by all Romanians as National Day.


    More than a century later, Romanians everywhere marked
    their National Day amid restrictions entailed by the coronavirus pandemic. In his
    address, president Klaus Iohannis said the country’s main goals are democracy, a
    future within the EU and strengthening the rule of law, so as to produce prosperity
    for all citizens. We are celebrating National Day at a time of suffering and concern.
    The COVID-19 pandemic is still the painful reality of our times, said Klaus
    Iohannis, but he also sent a message of encouragement, respect and gratitude:


    Klaus Iohannis: The lesson of solidarity is more useful and timely than
    ever. History has proved, time and again, that united we can adapt to any trends
    and occurrences and that overcoming all challenges depends on our determination,
    as a nation. Just like in so many other critical moments in our past, we have today
    the necessary resources, the right instruments and the will to succeed. So I urge
    you all to look ahead with hope!


    In Bucharest, some 1,500 troops and over 100 vehicles
    took part in the traditional military parade at the Arch of Triumph, while
    around 30 military aircraft flew over the city. It was the second parade since
    the pandemic broke out, but the first that the public were able to attend.


    Thousands also attended the military parade in Alba
    Iulia, in which over 500 troops, accompanied by land and air combat equipment,
    took part. The ceremonies continued with folklore performances and a drone show.


    In Timișoara (west), National Day was celebrated with
    a military and religious ceremony, followed by a brief march by the Guard of
    Honour.


    On the National Day of Romania, we thank you for your
    friendship and for all the good things we have done and will do together in the
    future, the president of the neighbouring Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu said
    in a message.


    Celebrations were organised around the world, either
    by Romania’s diplomatic offices abroad or by Romanian communities. In Israel, National
    Day was marked in Tel Aviv by Romanian and Israeli officials, who praised the
    bilateral relations and the growing cooperation between the 2 countries.

    The Romanian
    Embassy in Italy organised a concert in the presence of over 600 Romanian and
    Italian politicians, diplomats, and other participants. Romania’s National Day reminds
    us, first and foremost, of the will of our forefathers, of our cultural,
    political and diplomatic elites, to fight for the ideal of national unity, the
    Ambassador of Romania to London, Laura Popescu, said in turn in a message to
    all Romanians. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • November 30, 2021 UPDATE

    November 30, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 Over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours were reported on
    Tuesday in Romania, along with 147 deaths, 17 of which from a previous date. Doctors
    warn that although ambulance services are receiving fewer requests for home
    testing, a large number of teams are still being deployed. After several states
    announced finding the Omicron variant of the virus, which has over 50 mutations,
    tests in Romania are now taking into account this strain as well. Meanwhile,
    the vaccination rate remains low, with only around 9,500 people getting the
    first dose and almost twice as many the booster dose on Tuesday. However, the
    low number may be owing to the fact that October 30 was a banking holiday in
    Romania.


    REPATRIATION The Romanian nationals stranded in South Africa following
    the suspension of flights to the EU over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, were
    brought to the country on Tuesday. The Tarom aircraft that brought them landed
    at the Military Base 90 instead of Otopeni Airport near Bucharest, as
    originally announced. The measure was taken because of concerns with infection
    risks. All the passengers will be tested and quarantined. The seats available
    in the Tarom aircraft that flew to Pretoria were offered to other EU member
    states to repatriate their own citizens, as part of the European civil
    protection mechanism. In related news, PM Nicolae Ciuca said the 72 Romanian
    tourists stranded in Morocco will also be repatriated by a Tarom aircraft on
    Thursday. Meanwhile, the authorities will try to find out whether there are any
    other Romanian nationals in the area. The foreign ministry urges citizens to
    analyse the situation carefully before traveling to countries affected by the
    new coronavirus variant and to check out the COVID-19 Travel Warnings section
    on the institution’s home page.


    NATO A meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Riga, Latvia,
    continues on Wednesday, with the Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu taking
    part. The meeting is a major landmark in preparing negotiations on NATO’s new
    Strategic Concept and for the summit due in Madrid next year. Minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s support for preparing the new Strategic Concept,
    able to provide adequate response instruments to the challenges of the current
    security environment. According to the foreign ministry, Aurescu will also
    discuss the latest security developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the
    need to carry on efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in
    a coherent and comprehensive manner for the entire Eastern Flank, including the
    Black Sea region.


    ST. ANDREW Christians around the world
    celebrated on Tuesday St. Andrew’s feast day. Andrew the Apostle is the patron
    saint of Romania. He spread the word of God and baptized the first people in
    today’s Dobrogea, on
    the Black Sea coast. St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped
    cross in the city of Patras, in Greece. Over 900,000 Romanians are named
    after St. Andrew the Apostle.


    NATIONAL DAY 1,500 troops, Interior and Defence Ministry staff, as well
    as foreign military will take part on Wednesday in a parade celebrating
    Romania’s National Day in Bucharest. According to the defence ministry, 100
    combat vehicles will also participate. In turn, the city of Alba Iulia will
    host a military parade, a photo exhibition and concerts to mark the occasion. Proclaimed
    a national holiday after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, December 1 marks the completion of the
    Romanian nation state in 1918, after World War 2, by the union of all
    territories with predominantly Romanian population.


    FAIR Romania is taking part, until December 2, in the 2nd
    edition of Egypt’s International Defence Expo, EDEX 2021, hosted by Cairo. Public
    defence companies as well as private operators will be present. Some 400
    companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s edition,
    showcasing the latest technologies in the field of defence. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • November 30, 2021

    November 30, 2021

    COVID-19 Over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours were reported on
    Tuesday in Romania, along with 147 deaths, 17 of which from a previous date. Doctors
    warn that although ambulance services are receiving fewer requests for home
    testing, a large number of teams are still being deployed. After several states
    announced finding the Omicron variant of the virus, which has over 50 mutations,
    tests in Romania are now taking into account this strain as well. Meanwhile,
    the vaccination rate remains low, with only around 12,800 people getting the
    first dose on Monday, and almost twice as many booster doses administered on
    the same day.


    REPATRIATION The Romanian nationals stranded in South Africa following
    the suspension of flights to the EU over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, are
    scheduled to land today on Otopeni Airport near Bucharest. All the passengers
    will be tested and quarantined. The around 50 seats available in the Tarom aircraft
    that flew to Pretoria were offered to other EU member states to repatriate
    their own citizens, as part of the European civil protection mechanism. The
    Romanian foreign ministry announced today that after Moroccan authorities
    decided to suspend commercial flights to that country over Omicron concerns, the
    Romanian Embassy to Rabat is handling the situation of 72 Romanian tourists
    whose flights have been cancelled. The Romanian embassy has already taken steps
    to identify alternative flights. The foreign ministry urges citizens to analyse
    the situation carefully before traveling to countries affected by the new
    coronavirus variant and to check out the COVID-19 Travel Warnings section on
    the institution’s home page.


    NATO The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Tuesday and Wednesday in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers held in Riga, Latvia.
    The meeting is a major landmark in preparing negotiations on NATO’s new
    Strategic Concept and for the summit due in Madrid next year. Minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s support for preparing the new Strategic Concept,
    able to provide adequate response instruments to the challenges of the current
    security environment. According to the foreign ministry, Aurescu will also
    discuss the latest security developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the
    need to carry on efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in
    a coherent and comprehensive manner for the entire Eastern Flank, including the
    Black Sea region.


    ST. ANDREW Christians around the world
    celebrate today St. Andrew’s feast day. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint
    of Romania. He spread the word of God and baptized the first people in today’s Dobrogea, on the Black Sea coast.
    St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in the city of Patras,
    in Greece. Over 900,000 Romanians are named after St. Andrew the Apostle.


    FAIR Romania is taking part, until December 2, in the 2nd
    edition of Egypt’s International Defence Expo, EDEX 2021, hosted by Cairo. Public
    defence companies as well as private operators will be present. Some 400
    companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s edition,
    showcasing the latest technologies in the field of defence.


    NATIONAL DAY 1,500 troops, Interior and Defence Ministry staff, as well
    as foreign military will take part on December 1 in a parade celebrating
    Romania’s National Day in Bucharest. Alba Iulia will also host a military
    parade, a photo exhibition and concerts to mark the occasion. Proclaimed a
    national holiday after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, December 1 marks the completion of the
    Romanian nation state in 1918, after World War 2, by the union of all
    territories with predominantly Romanian population. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • November 30, 2021

    November 30, 2021

    COVID-19 Over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours were reported on
    Tuesday in Romania, along with 147 deaths, 17 of which from a previous date. Doctors
    warn that although ambulance services are receiving fewer requests for home
    testing, a large number of teams are still being deployed. After several states
    announced finding the Omicron variant of the virus, which has over 50 mutations,
    tests in Romania are now taking into account this strain as well. Meanwhile,
    the vaccination rate remains low, with only around 12,800 people getting the
    first dose on Monday, and almost twice as many booster doses administered on
    the same day.


    REPATRIATION The Romanian nationals stranded in South Africa following
    the suspension of flights to the EU over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, are
    scheduled to land today on Otopeni Airport near Bucharest. All the passengers
    will be tested and quarantined. The around 50 seats available in the Tarom aircraft
    that flew to Pretoria were offered to other EU member states to repatriate
    their own citizens, as part of the European civil protection mechanism. The
    Romanian foreign ministry announced today that after Moroccan authorities
    decided to suspend commercial flights to that country over Omicron concerns, the
    Romanian Embassy to Rabat is handling the situation of 72 Romanian tourists
    whose flights have been cancelled. The Romanian embassy has already taken steps
    to identify alternative flights. The foreign ministry urges citizens to analyse
    the situation carefully before traveling to countries affected by the new
    coronavirus variant and to check out the COVID-19 Travel Warnings section on
    the institution’s home page.


    NATO The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Tuesday and Wednesday in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers held in Riga, Latvia.
    The meeting is a major landmark in preparing negotiations on NATO’s new
    Strategic Concept and for the summit due in Madrid next year. Minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s support for preparing the new Strategic Concept,
    able to provide adequate response instruments to the challenges of the current
    security environment. According to the foreign ministry, Aurescu will also
    discuss the latest security developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the
    need to carry on efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in
    a coherent and comprehensive manner for the entire Eastern Flank, including the
    Black Sea region.


    ST. ANDREW Christians around the world
    celebrate today St. Andrew’s feast day. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint
    of Romania. He spread the word of God and baptized the first people in today’s Dobrogea, on the Black Sea coast.
    St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in the city of Patras,
    in Greece. Over 900,000 Romanians are named after St. Andrew the Apostle.


    FAIR Romania is taking part, until December 2, in the 2nd
    edition of Egypt’s International Defence Expo, EDEX 2021, hosted by Cairo. Public
    defence companies as well as private operators will be present. Some 400
    companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s edition,
    showcasing the latest technologies in the field of defence.


    NATIONAL DAY 1,500 troops, Interior and Defence Ministry staff, as well
    as foreign military will take part on December 1 in a parade celebrating
    Romania’s National Day in Bucharest. Alba Iulia will also host a military
    parade, a photo exhibition and concerts to mark the occasion. Proclaimed a
    national holiday after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, December 1 marks the completion of the
    Romanian nation state in 1918, after World War 2, by the union of all
    territories with predominantly Romanian population. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • November 30, 2021

    November 30, 2021

    COVID-19 Over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours were reported on
    Tuesday in Romania, along with 147 deaths, 17 of which from a previous date. Doctors
    warn that although ambulance services are receiving fewer requests for home
    testing, a large number of teams are still being deployed. After several states
    announced finding the Omicron variant of the virus, which has over 50 mutations,
    tests in Romania are now taking into account this strain as well. Meanwhile,
    the vaccination rate remains low, with only around 12,800 people getting the
    first dose on Monday, and almost twice as many booster doses administered on
    the same day.


    REPATRIATION The Romanian nationals stranded in South Africa following
    the suspension of flights to the EU over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, are
    scheduled to land today on Otopeni Airport near Bucharest. All the passengers
    will be tested and quarantined. The around 50 seats available in the Tarom aircraft
    that flew to Pretoria were offered to other EU member states to repatriate
    their own citizens, as part of the European civil protection mechanism. The
    Romanian foreign ministry announced today that after Moroccan authorities
    decided to suspend commercial flights to that country over Omicron concerns, the
    Romanian Embassy to Rabat is handling the situation of 72 Romanian tourists
    whose flights have been cancelled. The Romanian embassy has already taken steps
    to identify alternative flights. The foreign ministry urges citizens to analyse
    the situation carefully before traveling to countries affected by the new
    coronavirus variant and to check out the COVID-19 Travel Warnings section on
    the institution’s home page.


    NATO The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Tuesday and Wednesday in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers held in Riga, Latvia.
    The meeting is a major landmark in preparing negotiations on NATO’s new
    Strategic Concept and for the summit due in Madrid next year. Minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s support for preparing the new Strategic Concept,
    able to provide adequate response instruments to the challenges of the current
    security environment. According to the foreign ministry, Aurescu will also
    discuss the latest security developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the
    need to carry on efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in
    a coherent and comprehensive manner for the entire Eastern Flank, including the
    Black Sea region.


    ST. ANDREW Christians around the world
    celebrate today St. Andrew’s feast day. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint
    of Romania. He spread the word of God and baptized the first people in today’s Dobrogea, on the Black Sea coast.
    St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in the city of Patras,
    in Greece. Over 900,000 Romanians are named after St. Andrew the Apostle.


    FAIR Romania is taking part, until December 2, in the 2nd
    edition of Egypt’s International Defence Expo, EDEX 2021, hosted by Cairo. Public
    defence companies as well as private operators will be present. Some 400
    companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s edition,
    showcasing the latest technologies in the field of defence.


    NATIONAL DAY 1,500 troops, Interior and Defence Ministry staff, as well
    as foreign military will take part on December 1 in a parade celebrating
    Romania’s National Day in Bucharest. Alba Iulia will also host a military
    parade, a photo exhibition and concerts to mark the occasion. Proclaimed a
    national holiday after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, December 1 marks the completion of the
    Romanian nation state in 1918, after World War 2, by the union of all
    territories with predominantly Romanian population. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • November 30, 2021

    November 30, 2021

    COVID-19 Over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours were reported on
    Tuesday in Romania, along with 147 deaths, 17 of which from a previous date. Doctors
    warn that although ambulance services are receiving fewer requests for home
    testing, a large number of teams are still being deployed. After several states
    announced finding the Omicron variant of the virus, which has over 50 mutations,
    tests in Romania are now taking into account this strain as well. Meanwhile,
    the vaccination rate remains low, with only around 12,800 people getting the
    first dose on Monday, and almost twice as many booster doses administered on
    the same day.


    REPATRIATION The Romanian nationals stranded in South Africa following
    the suspension of flights to the EU over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, are
    scheduled to land today on Otopeni Airport near Bucharest. All the passengers
    will be tested and quarantined. The around 50 seats available in the Tarom aircraft
    that flew to Pretoria were offered to other EU member states to repatriate
    their own citizens, as part of the European civil protection mechanism. The
    Romanian foreign ministry announced today that after Moroccan authorities
    decided to suspend commercial flights to that country over Omicron concerns, the
    Romanian Embassy to Rabat is handling the situation of 72 Romanian tourists
    whose flights have been cancelled. The Romanian embassy has already taken steps
    to identify alternative flights. The foreign ministry urges citizens to analyse
    the situation carefully before traveling to countries affected by the new
    coronavirus variant and to check out the COVID-19 Travel Warnings section on
    the institution’s home page.


    NATO The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Tuesday and Wednesday in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers held in Riga, Latvia.
    The meeting is a major landmark in preparing negotiations on NATO’s new
    Strategic Concept and for the summit due in Madrid next year. Minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s support for preparing the new Strategic Concept,
    able to provide adequate response instruments to the challenges of the current
    security environment. According to the foreign ministry, Aurescu will also
    discuss the latest security developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the
    need to carry on efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in
    a coherent and comprehensive manner for the entire Eastern Flank, including the
    Black Sea region.


    ST. ANDREW Christians around the world
    celebrate today St. Andrew’s feast day. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint
    of Romania. He spread the word of God and baptized the first people in today’s Dobrogea, on the Black Sea coast.
    St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in the city of Patras,
    in Greece. Over 900,000 Romanians are named after St. Andrew the Apostle.


    FAIR Romania is taking part, until December 2, in the 2nd
    edition of Egypt’s International Defence Expo, EDEX 2021, hosted by Cairo. Public
    defence companies as well as private operators will be present. Some 400
    companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s edition,
    showcasing the latest technologies in the field of defence.


    NATIONAL DAY 1,500 troops, Interior and Defence Ministry staff, as well
    as foreign military will take part on December 1 in a parade celebrating
    Romania’s National Day in Bucharest. Alba Iulia will also host a military
    parade, a photo exhibition and concerts to mark the occasion. Proclaimed a
    national holiday after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, December 1 marks the completion of the
    Romanian nation state in 1918, after World War 2, by the union of all
    territories with predominantly Romanian population. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • November 30, 2021

    November 30, 2021

    COVID-19 Over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours were reported on
    Tuesday in Romania, along with 147 deaths, 17 of which from a previous date. Doctors
    warn that although ambulance services are receiving fewer requests for home
    testing, a large number of teams are still being deployed. After several states
    announced finding the Omicron variant of the virus, which has over 50 mutations,
    tests in Romania are now taking into account this strain as well. Meanwhile,
    the vaccination rate remains low, with only around 12,800 people getting the
    first dose on Monday, and almost twice as many booster doses administered on
    the same day.


    REPATRIATION The Romanian nationals stranded in South Africa following
    the suspension of flights to the EU over the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, are
    scheduled to land today on Otopeni Airport near Bucharest. All the passengers
    will be tested and quarantined. The around 50 seats available in the Tarom aircraft
    that flew to Pretoria were offered to other EU member states to repatriate
    their own citizens, as part of the European civil protection mechanism. The
    Romanian foreign ministry announced today that after Moroccan authorities
    decided to suspend commercial flights to that country over Omicron concerns, the
    Romanian Embassy to Rabat is handling the situation of 72 Romanian tourists
    whose flights have been cancelled. The Romanian embassy has already taken steps
    to identify alternative flights. The foreign ministry urges citizens to analyse
    the situation carefully before traveling to countries affected by the new
    coronavirus variant and to check out the COVID-19 Travel Warnings section on
    the institution’s home page.


    NATO The Romanian foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu takes part on
    Tuesday and Wednesday in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers held in Riga, Latvia.
    The meeting is a major landmark in preparing negotiations on NATO’s new
    Strategic Concept and for the summit due in Madrid next year. Minister Bogdan
    Aurescu will reiterate Romania’s support for preparing the new Strategic Concept,
    able to provide adequate response instruments to the challenges of the current
    security environment. According to the foreign ministry, Aurescu will also
    discuss the latest security developments in the Eastern Neighbourhood and the
    need to carry on efforts to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture in
    a coherent and comprehensive manner for the entire Eastern Flank, including the
    Black Sea region.


    ST. ANDREW Christians around the world
    celebrate today St. Andrew’s feast day. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint
    of Romania. He spread the word of God and baptized the first people in today’s Dobrogea, on the Black Sea coast.
    St. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion on an X-shaped cross in the city of Patras,
    in Greece. Over 900,000 Romanians are named after St. Andrew the Apostle.


    FAIR Romania is taking part, until December 2, in the 2nd
    edition of Egypt’s International Defence Expo, EDEX 2021, hosted by Cairo. Public
    defence companies as well as private operators will be present. Some 400
    companies from around the world are taking part in this year’s edition,
    showcasing the latest technologies in the field of defence.


    NATIONAL DAY 1,500 troops, Interior and Defence Ministry staff, as well
    as foreign military will take part on December 1 in a parade celebrating
    Romania’s National Day in Bucharest. Alba Iulia will also host a military
    parade, a photo exhibition and concerts to mark the occasion. Proclaimed a
    national holiday after the 1989 anti-communist revolution, December 1 marks the completion of the
    Romanian nation state in 1918, after World War 2, by the union of all
    territories with predominantly Romanian population. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 24, 2021

    October 24, 2021

    COVID-19 New restrictions take effect on Monday in Romania, as the country is
    struggling with an unprecedented epidemiological crisis. For 30 days, the
    digital COVID certificate will be compulsory in most public places, except for
    food shops and drugstores, face covering will be compulsory in all indoor and
    outdoor public areas, and a ban on outdoor concerts and shows, as well as on
    private events, including weddings, conferences and workshops, will be in place.
    Also on Monday, public and private kindergartens,
    primary, secondary schools and high schools will take a 2-week break.
    After-schools will also be closed, although nurseries will stay open. Companies
    with more than 50 employees will organise shifts or remote work, sports
    competitions will be held without public in attendance, and a night curfew will also be introduced, between 10 pm and 5 am, for
    the unvaccinated. On Sunday the authorities reported 11,725 new
    SARS-CoV-2 cases and 389 COVID-related deaths.




    VACCINE Over
    45,000 people got vaccinated in Bucharest since Friday, almost half of them as
    part of a vaccination marathon held in the capital city over the weekend.
    Nation-wide, some 127,000 people got vaccinated in the last 24 hours, most of
    them (over 91,000) with the first dose. The vaccination campaign has been energised
    in recent days as the number of SARS-CoV-2
    infections surged and as people see their access to various activities restricted without the
    digital COVID certificate. Since the start of the vaccination programme in late
    December, nearly 5.9 million people have completed the vaccination plan. An
    efficiency survey on COVID-19 vaccination in Romania indicates that
    immunisation has reduced contamination risks 5 times,
    hospitalisation risks 10 times, intensive care admission risks nearly 14 times
    and COVID-related death risks over 20 times.

    GOVERNMENT The head of the
    National Liberal Party and interim PM Florin Cîţu said on Sunday that after the
    Liberals nominated Nicolae Ciucă as prime minister designate, it is time for
    the parties that voted the no-confidence motion to prove responsible and to
    back a cabinet made up of the Liberals and the Democratic Union of Ethnic
    Hungarians in Romania. This was a reference to the Social Democratic Party and
    Save Romania Union, the latter formerly partners with the Liberals in the
    ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the prime minister designate carried on
    negotiations over parliamentary support for his new cabinet. Nicolae Ciucă
    discussed on Saturday with representatives of ethnic minorities and with the
    head of the Social Democratic Party in opposition, Marcel Ciolacu. The Social
    Democrats made their temporary support for a minority government conditional on
    the inclusion of 10 urgent measures suggested by the Social Democrats to
    overcome the healthcare and energy crises. Save Romania Union left the ruling
    coalition over disagreements with PM Florin Cîţu and backed a no-confidence motion initiated by the Social
    Democrats against the Cîţu government. The first politician designated by
    president Klaus Iohannis to form a new government, Save Romania Union leader
    Dacian Cioloş, failed to get endorsed by Parliament.




    CENTENNIAL On Monday Romania marks the
    centennial of the birth of Michael I of Romania, the country’s last king. On
    this occasion, public radio stations will broadcast a show entitled Romania
    needs art, produced jointly with the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation,
    benefitting the Young Talents Programme. The National Art Museum will also open
    to visitors the historic areas of the Royal Palace. The public will be able to
    visit the Royal Dining Hall, the Throne Hall and the Voivodes’ Staircase, as well as an exhibition on ‘Fragments of
    memory: royal potraits,’ comprising art works depicting King Michael at various
    stages of life. The 25th of October is also the Day of the Romanian
    Army, and the King Ferdinand I National Military Museum will open a
    temporary exhibition entitled Michael I: a century of history. King
    Michael I passed away on the 5th December 2017. Thousands of people, who saw him as a model of dignity,
    patriotism and duty towards his country, queued for days to pay tribute to the
    late king in Bucharest. He was buried in the Mausoleum of the Royal
    Family in Curtea de Argeş (south), where his
    predecessors, kings Carol I, Ferdinand and Carol II also rest.




    UN The values and principles of the United Nations
    Charter remain relevant 76 years later, and are the basis of international
    relations today, says the Romanian Foreign Ministry in a message on UN Day.
    According to the institution, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again proved that
    global issues require joint solutions, solidarity and international
    cooperation, and in this respect, supporting and strengthening multilateralism,
    founded on the UN system, are essential. In its 66 years of UN membership, Romania
    has stood out as an active supporter and advocate of the achievements of
    multilateral diplomacy. The Romanian diplomacy will continue to actively
    promote the UN goals, in its efforts to ensure progress towards a safer, freer
    and more thriving world, the message also reads. The United Nations Day is
    celebrated on the 24th October, when the UN Charter entered into
    force in 1945. Romania joined the organisation on 14th December 1955.




    HANDBALL Romanian women’s handball
    champions, CSM Bucharest, play at home today against Buducnost Podgorica of
    Montenegro, in a Champions League Goup A match. In the previous leg, CSM defeated away from home the German side Borussia
    Dortmund. The Romanian team ranks 6th in the group, but should they
    win this match they would move on to 4th place. The top 3 teams in
    the group are Rostov on Don (Russia), FTC-Rail Cargo of Hungary
    and Team Esbjerg (Denmark). (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • July 20, 2021 UPDATE

    July 20, 2021 UPDATE

    COVID-19 95 new infections with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in the last 24 hours out of 31,200 tests performed, the Strategic Communication Group reports. 3 related casualties have also been reported. 14 cases of infection were confirmed in the capital Bucharest, 7 in the county of Cluj and 6 in the counties of Iasi and Timis. 244 patients are hospitalised, 36 of them in intensive care. Authorities foresee a slightly growing number of infections in the forthcoming period. As regards the anti-Covid vaccination, more than 13,000 people got immunized in the past 24 hours, more than 65% of them with the first dose. 4,800 people opted for the Johnson&Johnson single-dose vaccine. 4.7 million Romanians have been fully vaccinated so far. In the capital city Bucharest, 47% of eligible residents over 12 years of age have received the vaccine. Romania will continue, both independently and at EU level, to donate or re-sell some vaccine doses. This week a new donation to the Republic of Moldova is scheduled, after batches sent previously to Serbia, Argentina and Vietnam.



    AIR FORCE DAY The Romanian Aviation and Air Force Day was marked, as every year, on 20 July, when St. Elijah, the protector of pilots, is celebrated. The Romanian Air Forces are a modern category of armed forces, with structures undergoing a process of consolidation of their operational capacity, President Klaus Iohannis said in a message on this occasion. The Air Forces have a major role in consolidating the countrys defence capability, being able to carry out complex missions of defending Romanias air space, to conduct long-distance air transport missions and rescue-evacuation missions at national and local level and to participate in. NATO missions, Iohannis also said. He emphasised that 20 July is also dedicated to civil aviation workers, who carry out difficult missions in the context of the coronavirus pandemic and who contribute to Romanias economic development and the progress of air sports. The Romanian Minister of Defence, Nicolae Ciuca, and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, participated in the military ceremony organised at the Air Heroes Monument in downtown Bucharest. During the ceremony, wreaths were laid in memory of the aviation heroes. The 74th PATRIOT Regiment, the tactical combat unit established on December 1, 2018, whose mission is to render operational the PATRIOT surface-to-air missile system, were handed the Battle Flag.



    JUSTICE Perceptions on the independence of the Romanian judicial system improved compared to previous years, but the shortage of human resources remains a concern, reads the European Commissions annual report on the rule of law in the Union, made public on Tuesday in Brussels. On the other hand, the document says the perception among experts and company executives is that corruption remains high in the public sector. According to the report, the endorsement of a new national anti-corruption strategy for 2021-2025 is a priority for the government, and the efficiency of investigations and penalties for medium and high-level corruption has improved. As regards media pluralism and freedom, the absence of specific guarantees for editorial independence and editorial standards continues to cause concern, while transparency regarding the stakeholders in media institutions is still incomplete.



    THEATRE The best stage shows in Romania in 2020 were awarded on Monday evening, at the UNITER Awards Gala. The show “Heart and other meat dishes, by Dan Coman, directed by Radu Afrim and produced by the Marin Sorescu National Theatre in Craiova was designated best play of the previous year. Carmen Lidia Vidu won the award for best direction, for Romanian Journal. 1989, produced by the I.L. Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest. Razvan Vicoveanu, with the Regina Maria Theatre in Oradea, won the award for best lead actor, for the part of Ivan Alexandrovici Hlestakov. Emoke Cato was awarded for best actress. Actor Marcel Iures, stage designer Geta Medinschi, actress Ileana Ploscaru and theatre critic Ion Parhon received lifetime achievement awards.



    ROBOTICS Romanias team won the first place at the International Robotics Championship held in Chicago, the US, on July 16 and 17. In the final, the team made up of students from 13 of the best Romanian high schools defeated some of the best American teams and set a new world record in terms of points won. This is the first time after 1989 when a team from outside the US wins the first place at this competition.



    PANDEMIC Europe is the first region to reach 50 million confirmed coronavirus infection cases since the start of the pandemic. The substantially more contagious Delta variant is now the most widespread on the continent, generating a record-high increase in the number of daily new cases, with European countries reporting a combined one million new cases every 8 days. Nearly 1.3 million Europeans died of COVID-related complications. A spokesman for the French government announced the country is seeing the 4th wave of the epidemic, and a plan is being implementing to reduce new pressure on hospitals. The plan introduces a health permit required for access in cinemas and restaurants, and compulsory vaccination for healthcare staff. Israel announced the opening of borders to foreign tourists, originally scheduled for 1 August, will be postponed. At present foreigners are only allowed in the country based on a special permission from the authorities. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • March 8, 2021

    March 8, 2021

    COVID-19 Romania’s PM Florin Cîţu announced he asked the
    coordinator of the national vaccination programme Valeriu Gheorghiţă and the
    health minister Vlad Voiculescu to take steps to initiate the 3rd
    vaccination phase sooner than planned, because in March Romania will receive
    2.6 million anti-COVID vaccine doses, which is more than originally estimated.
    The PM said that where citizens entitled to vaccines in the 1st and
    2nd stages of the programme decline getting the jabs, the respective
    doses should go to the general public scheduled for immunisation in the 3rd
    phase. So far 1.16 million people have received the vaccine in Romania. On the
    other hand, more than 830,000 infections have been reported in Romania since
    the start of the pandemic, with the death toll standing at nearly 21,000. Face-to-face classes continue for senior-year middle and
    high school students, but in a mixed system, with half of the children
    attending classes online, under a joint order issued by the education and
    health ministries. The measure is in place up to a COVID infection rate of 6 per
    thousand



    POLICE The Romanian interior ministry intends to increase the number of police forces monitoring compliance with the new COVID-19 containment measures introduced as of Monday in Bucharest and in Timişoara (west). The city of Timişoara and several villages in Timiş County are under lockdown as of midnight, as the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise. Bucharest is also subject to new restrictions, such as the closing of restaurants, cafes and bars. These measures add to the ones already in place in other red-code regions in the country, where the COVID-19 infection rate is over 3 per 1,000.



    WOMEN Romania ranks first in the EU by number of women holding top corporate posts, according to a release issued by a women-founded business centre, which quotes a Eurostat report. According to these figures, 34% of the total senior executive positions in Romania are held by women. Also, over 500,000 active businesses in Romania have women as shareholders. Across Europe, women account for 37% of managers, 28% of board members and 18% of the senior executives. The European Parliament is celebrating today the International Womens Day, in a plenary session. In a conference on “Women on the frontline and lessons learned from managing the crisis, women in politics, healthcare and gender equality share personal experiences and good practices with MEPs.



    PANDEMIC The European Union begins talks today with the United States of America to secure the supply of US-made materials for anti-COVID vaccines, which are subject to tight export controls. The point is to coordinate efforts so as to avoid bottlenecks, AFP reports, quoting EU sources. These components include bags fitted to the manufacturers vats, as well as vials, syringes and so-called “nanolipid particles used to encapsulate some messenger RNA vaccines. Meanwhile, Hungary introduces new containment measures on Monday, with most shops closed for 2 weeks. The UK on the other hand is beginning to lift restrictions, and millions of children are returning to schools after a 2-month break. In turn, Israel is returning to normal. Some restrictions were lifted on Sunday, 15 days ahead of national elections, and Israelis can now go to cafes, restaurants and schools. Worldwide, according to worldometers updates, nearly 117.4 million people have caught the virus, of whom 93 million have recovered and 2.6 million died since the start of the pandemic a year ago.



    FILM Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, the most recent film of Romanian director Radu Jude, won the Golden Bear at the 71st edition of Berlin International Film Festival – Berlinale, held online. The film looks into the relations between the individual and society when the leaked sex video of a school teacher goes viral on the Internet, turning her life upside down.



    TENNIS Several Romanian athletes are playing today in the main draw on the Dubai tennis tournament, which has over 1.84 million US dollars in prize money. The first Romanian in the competition, Ana Bogdan (100 WTA) lost to Marketa Vondrousova, Czech Republic, (20 WTA), in 2 sets. Sorana Cîrstea (67 WTA) takes on the Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (142 WTA), Irina Begu (72 WA) is facing Garbine Muguruza of Spain (16 WTA), and Patricia Țig (61 WTA) plays against Latvias Jelena Ostapenko (51 WTA). Two Romanians are also taking part in the doubles competition. Last years winner of the Dubai tournament, the Romanian Simona Halep, 3 WTA, is not taking part in the competition this year. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • February 18, 2021

    February 18, 2021

    VACCINE A new batch of over 163,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine reaches Romania today. This is the third COVID-19 vaccine available in EU member states, and was introduced in Romania this week. According to the National Vaccination Coordination Committee, since the start of the vaccination programme in Romania on December 27, over 1.2 million doses have been administered. Most people have received the Pfizer vaccine, and the others doses produced by Moderna, available in Romania since February 4. Meanwhile, 3,058 new SARS-CoV-2 cases were reported in the past 24 hours. 71 people died and 936 patients are in intensive care.



    DEFENCE The Romanian defence minister Nicolae Ciucă, taking part in a meeting of NATO defence ministers, pointed out Romanias commitment to covering defence expenditure. He reaffirmed Bucharests support for deepening and strengthening NATOs defence and deterrence posture, in line with medium and long-term security requirements. NATOs secretary general Jens Stoltenberg suggested the Alliance should increase funding for joint defence and deterrence activities. One of the reasons for suggesting increased NATO funding for deterrence and defence is that this will incentivise more Allies to provide more capabilities, especially in the Baltic and Black Sea regions, the NATO chief explained. Jens Stoltenberg also said the Alliance needs to invest more in new technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.



    BRANCUSI A number of events devoted to the Constantin Brâncuşi National Day, celebrated every year in Romania on February 19, are organised across the country this week, to mark 145 years since the great sculptors birth. On Friday, the “Tinerimea Română National Art Centre will host a special concert devoted to the occasion, and illustrated with images of Brancusis works on display at the National Museum of Art. Also on Friday, an exhibition entitled “Mirrors of Brâncuşi opens at the Romanian Peasant Museum. On Saturday, the National Library has an event entitled “Dialogues at the table of silence: 145 years since the birth of sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi. The event is held online, on Zoom platform, and can also be followed on the Youtube channel of the National Library of Romania. In turn, the Romanian Cultural Institutes in Bucharest, Brussels, Chişinău, Lisbon, London, Madrid and Paris have scheduled online events devoted to the world-famous Romanian artist.



    PROTESTS Over one hundred workers at the Lupeni coal mine in Valea Jiului (central-western Romania) are carrying on the sit-in protest initiated yesterday. Their salaries are nearly 10 days late although the union signed a protocol in this respect with the Hunedoara Power Compound management. Meanwhile, leaders of coal mining trade unions convene to find legal methods to step up salary payments. Yesterday, protests were staged by Cartel Alfa and Solidaritatea Sanitara trade unions, both in front of the government headquarters and of parties in the ruling coalition. Trade unions are unhappy with the 2021 state budget bill, which they say will extend the economic crisis and will drive down living standards. Railway workers also picketed the government head offices on Tuesday and Wednesday, demanding investments and salary increases in the railway sector.



    PANDEMIC The European Commission announced a deal was signed with Moderna for an additional 150 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, to be delivered this year, and confirmed a previous agreement on the purchase of another 200 million doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. On Wednesday, the Commission also unveiled plans to monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants, to step up the approval of vaccines against such variants and to strengthen vaccine production capabilities in Europe. The EC initiated a bio-defence preparedness plan called “Hera Incubator, targeting new coronavirus variants that threaten to reduce the efficacy of current vaccination campaigns. Moreover, the EC president Ursula von der Leyen announced the Commission boosts measures against the growing number of COVID-19 vaccine frauds. In turn, the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres called on G20 to set up a “global vaccination plan so that no country is left behind in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • January 15, 2021

    January 15, 2021

    VACCINATION The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis received
    the Covid 19 vaccine on Friday, at the Central Military Hospital in Bucharest. He
    subsequently said the vaccine is safe and efficient, and immunisation and
    compliance with the protection rules will help us overcome the pandemic. The 2nd
    phase of the vaccination programme started today in Romania. It targets the
    high-risk population and workers in key sectors. Since
    the start of the pandemic, Romania has reported more than 688,000 coronavirus
    infections. Over 619,000 patients have recovered and more than 17,000 died. Over
    3,300 new cases and 63 deaths were reported on Friday, and 1,091 patients are
    in intensive care.



    CORRUPTION Liviu Dragnea, former president of the Social Democratic Party and former Chamber of Deputies speaker, has been charged with influenced peddling in another corruption-related case, concerning his presence at the US president Donald Trumps inauguration in Washington in early 2017. Prosecutors claim the former Social Democratic chief received undue benefits for himself and his party, in the amount of 380,000 US dollars, consisting in the travel package, political consultancy and various lobby services. In the same case, his former adviser and Romanias consul general in Bonn, Gheorghe Dimitrescu is also accused of influence peddling. Liviu Dragnea is currently serving a prison sentence for inciting abuse of office. In 2019 he was sentenced to 3 and a half years in a case involving fictitious employment contracts in Teleorman County.



    GOVERNMENT The government of Romania is holding an online meeting today. On Thursday the finance minister Alexandru Nazare said the Cabinet was preparing a reform of state-owned companies, and that on Friday loss and debt reduction targets will be presented, as well as means to monitor their activity. The state budget bill for this year is to be finalized at the end of this month.



    CULTURE Romania celebrates today 171 years since the birth of poet Mihai Eminescu, with online events or events without a live audience. As a tribute to Romanias greatest poet, January 15 was declared the National Culture Day, aimed at promoting culture, arts and academic effort. This day has been celebrated since 2010 in Romania, the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, and in the Romanian communities abroad. Diplomatic and consular missions as well as Romanian cultural institutes abroad are hosting special events devoted to this day. In turn, Radio Romania will celebrate Mihai Eminescus role in the national and world culture, with special shows, interviews, documentaries and festive events.



    INNOVATION Only 14.6% of the companies with at least 10 employees in Romania reported any innovation activity in 2016-2018, which places the country last in the EU, according to a survey made public by the Eurostat today. At EU level, 50.3% of companies had innovation activities in the respective period, with the highest number of innovative enterprises reported in Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium and Germany. Bottom of the list are Romania, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria. In Romania, the share of companies conducting innovative activities rose from 10% in 2016 to 14.6% in 2018.



    INAUGURATION In the US, president elect Joe Bidens team has cancelled a train trip and a rehearsal for the inauguration ceremony due on January 20, over concerns for Bidens security. Washington mobilised police forces and the National Guard, amid information pointing to attempts to organise armed protests to prevent the Biden administration from taking office. According to Radio Romanias correspondent, the FBI is looking into large-scale and disquieting online activity related to possible violence at the inauguration ceremony. Over 200 suspects tied to the US Capitol riots of January 6 have been identified so far, and more than 100 have been arrested. Trumps impeachment procedure has been moved to the Senate, but debates are set to begin after the inauguration of the new president. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • October 26, 2020

    October 26, 2020

    COVID-19 According to the Strategic Communication Group, 2,844 new coronavirus infections were reported in the past 24 hours in Romania, with the total number of cases exceeding 212,000 in 8 months. Another 79 COVID-19 patients died, taking the death toll to 6,470. 823 patients are currently in intensive care. Bucharest reports the highest number of daily new cases, 520. Meanwhile, the National Committee for Emergencies Monday updated the list of COVID-19 high-risk countries. As of October 26, travelers coming into Romania from these countries must isolate for 14 days. The list comprises 30 countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, France, the UK, Ireland, Portugal. The US and the R. of Moldova are no longer on the list. Also today, the Committee passed a resolution clarifying that face masks can be taken off outdoors, for brief periods of time, when smoking, eating or drinking, or exercising. As of today, all schools, high schools and kindergartens in the cities of Timişoara, Sibiu and Baia Mare have switched to online classes, as the threshold of 3 COVID-19 infections per thousand inhabitants has been exceeded. Most major cities in Romania operate in the same scenario, including the capital Bucharest. In addition, face masks are compulsory in all indoor or outdoor public areas, and indoor restaurants, cafes, cinema and theatre halls are closed.



    VISIT The PM of Romania Ludovic Orban is on an official visit to France on Monday and Tuesday. According to the Romanian Government, Ludovic Orban will have meetings with his French counterpart Jean Castex, with the speakers of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, and the Senate, Gerard Larcher, and with the leader of the centre-right party ‘Les Republicains’, Christian Jacob. The Romanian PM will also take part in a meeting of the Council of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and will have official talks with the OECD secretary general Angel Gurria. The visit also includes a meeting with members of the Romanian community in France.



    ELECTIONS The date of the forthcoming parliamentary election in Romania is discussed in Parliament as of today. A bill in this respect, enabling Parliament to set the election date instead of the Government, has been returned to Parliament by president Klaus Iohannis. Most likely the election date will be December 6, as already accepted by president Iohannis and the Liberal Government. The left-of-centre opposition however favours a postponement of the parliamentary election to March 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.



    CORRUPTION The Chamber of Deputies is discussing and voting on Tuesday on a request filed by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate to commence prosecution against Deputy Nicolae Bănicioiu, who is accused of influence peddling and continuing bribe-taking. He denied all accusations and asked the Chamber to vote on the request, which has been already approved by the Judicial Committee. A former health minister, Nicolae Bănicioiu (Social Democratic Party) is probed into in a case involving the sale of medical products to public hospitals in Bucharest and Ilfov County. Prosecutors say Bănicioiu received 2.6 million euros from 2 businessmen in exchange for appointing or keeping in office hospital managers that had signed contracts with the respective companies.



    JUSTICE The Romanian Justice Minister Cătălin Predoiu said on Sunday, the European Day of Justice, that results cannot be secured without constant investments in the judicial system. He added that in the ensuing years, alongside curbing corruption, which is yet to be solved, Romania will focus on fighting organised crime and human trafficking, including child trafficking, by means of thorough investigations and tough penalties in all the cases with enough evidence. Organised crime and human trafficking are incompatible with Romanias EU and NATO membership, minister Predoiu argued. (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • October 25, 2020

    October 25, 2020

    ARMY DAY Romania has today a modern and well trained army, able to ensure compliance with the commitments taken within NATO and in terms of implementing the EU common security and defence policy, the president of Romania Klaus Iohannis said on the celebration of the Romanian Army Day on October 25. Its significant contribution to strengthening regional stability in South Eastern Europe makes the Romanian Army a security provider at the Black Sea, a region facing multiple and dynamic challenges, the president added. The new generations of troops are paying tribute to all the heroes that have sacrificed their lives in theatres of operations, the defence minister Nicolae Ciucă said in his turn, mentioning that in World War II Romanian troops fought heroically to free the country, turning October 25, 1944 into a symbol of national emancipation from foreign occupation. In building our defence, we rely on our NATO and EU membership, as well as on the Strategic Partnership with the US, which is now stronger than ever, the Romanian defence minister also said. In keeping with its NATO commitments, Romania is already hosting a number of Allied command and control structures, and in the near future the South-East Multinational Command will also be opened in Sibiu. At present, 1,150 Romanian military are deployed in foreign theatres of operation.



    COVID-19 Bucharest is considering the reintroduction of night curfews in several parts of the country, the PM Ludovic Orban said after 3 counties in central Romania (Alba, Cluj and Harghita) as well as the capital Bucharest have passed 3 infections per thousand inhabitants this week. According to the most recent national update, 3,855 new cases and 73 deaths were reported in 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 6,391. Over 800 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care. Romania is one of the 23 European countries where the pandemic causes serious concern at EU level, both in terms of the daily infection numbers among the elderly, and in terms of the death rate, which is the second-largest in Europe.



    PANDEMIC A growing number of countries have introduced further restrictions as the number of COVID-19 cases is rising at a fast pace. Spain and France are seeing the largest numbers of infections, over 1 million cases each, out of the total 8.5 million reported in Europe as a whole. Most of Poland is rated as COVID red zone, with restaurants and schools partly closed down, weddings banned, shops and churches closed and people over 70 requested to stay at home. Slovakia has a curfew in place until November 1, while in the Czech Republic travel restrictions are valid until November 3. Slovenia also ordered a partial lockdown, while Greece imposed a night curfew in Athens and Thessaloniki, and face covering is compulsory outdoors. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has once again called on German citizens to reduce social interaction. Belgium shut down all sports and cultural activities as of Monday, and several regions in the French Wallonia are under lockdown. In the UK, Wales is in lockdown until November 9, with Ireland also introducing a 6-week lockdown. Denmark has also introduced tougher restrictions, and in Bulgaria Sofia and other major cities are closing down today all night restaurants and pubs. Across Europe, the number of COVID-19 related deaths has passed 260,000.



    AL-QAEDA Afghan forces have killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri, a top Al-Qaeda leader wanted by the United States, the National Directorate of Security in Afghanistan announced. Abu Muhsin al-Masri had been accused of providing materials and resources to a foreign terror group and of plotting to kill American citizens. Abu Muhsin al-Masri, believed to be Al-Qaedas number-two, was targeted in Ghazni province. Also in Afghanistan, funerals were held for the victims of Saturdays suicide bomb attack in the capital city Kabul, claimed by the ISIS group. Scores of people were killed or wounded in the blast that took place in the mostly Shiite area of the city, with many students of a private education centre among the victims.



    WINTER TIME On Saturday night, Romania switched to winter time, with the local 4 am becoming 3 am. 2020 may be the last time the seasonal change of clocks occurs, as the European Commission has proposed scrapping this practice in Europe. Member states will be able to choose whether to remain on permanent winter time or summer time. Countries choosing to stay on summer time will make the last change next March, while those that wish to remain on winter time will perform the last switch in October next year. (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

  • May Day dishes in Romania

    May Day dishes in Romania

    Because of the ongoing pandemic, on May Day this year Romanians could not go out for barbecues, as they usually do. The custom relates to one of the most complex holidays in the Romanian folk calendar.



    On May Day or Arminden, the tradition was to decorate the gates and windows of village houses with green branches to protect harvests, animals, vineyards and orchards. The holiday was accompanied by an outdoor party where people would eat lamb and fresh cheese and drink wormwood-infused red wine. For this reason, the Arminden Day is also known as Wormwood Day. The wine was believed to make one strong and red-cheeked, which traditionally was a sign of health. But with some men overdoing this part of the custom, the Arminden Day or May Day also came to be called Drunkards Day.



    In România, wormwood wine has been known for hundreds of years, and it used to be prepared for very practical reasons. As wine barrels were gradually emptied, air would go into the barrel, which affected the quality of the wine as weather would become warmer and warmer. In order to prevent the wine from going sour, people would put a sachet with dried wormwood flowers and crushed wormwood seeds into the barrel.



    Another option was maceration. Wormwood plants and seeds, cinnamon, cloves, coriander and quince peel, totalling just a few grams, were soaked in a mixture and wine and alcohol. A week later, the extract was poured into 10 litres of white wine.



    In May Day festivals, pork, chicken or skewered meats are grilled. The mixture of meat varieties, onion, mushrooms and bell pepper next to each other on a grill is common in many other countries. But nothing compares to the grilled ground meat rolls known as “mititei or “mici. Made from a mixture of pork, beef and lamb with a variety of spices, these are similar to the Turkish kebab, but also with a Serbian dish called “cevapi, with the addition of pork, which is traditionally forbidden in Muslim countries.



    Legend has it, according to the famous 19th Century journalist Constantin Bacalbaşa, that the mititei were invented in a pub in downtown Bucharest, when the cook ran out of casing for sausages and so he put just the sausage filling on a grill. The popularity of this dish has grown ever since, and now it is a May Day staple in Romania.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)