Radio România Internațional

Tag: military parade

  • December 1, 2023

    December 1, 2023

    NATIONAL
    DAY – December 1 marks the National Day of Romania, celebrating 105
    years since the unification of Romanian principalities into a single state. On
    December 1, at the end of the Great War, representatives of Romanians from
    Transylvania (center), Banat, Maramureș and
    Crișana (west), voted in favor of the unification with the Kingdom of
    Romania, thus breaking with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Previously, on
    November 28, a similar decision was taken by the General Congress of Bukovina,
    another province that was previously ruled by the Habsburgs. On March 27, 1918,
    after the collapse of the Russian Empire, the People’s Gathering of Bessarabia
    also voted the unification with Romania. In the summer of 1940, following an
    ultimatum, the USSR annexed both Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, today parts
    of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, respectively.




    PARADE – Over
    2,400 military and specialists with the Defense Ministry, the Interior
    Ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications
    Service and the Penitentiary Administration took part on Friday in a special
    military parade marking the National Day of Romania. 250 foreign military from
    Belgium, France, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Luxembourg, Poland,
    Portugal, Spain, the USA and the Netherlands also took part. 130 vehicles and 40 aircraft, in addition to
    23 types of military and air equipment used by allied participants were
    displayed in Bucharest.




    CONFERENCE – The UN Climate
    Change Conference hosted by Dubai in the UAE has launched with the historic
    decision to compensate poor countries most vulnerable to global warming.
    Attending the Conference are 140 heads of state and government, including
    president Klaus Iohannis.




    WAR IN
    GAZA – The ceasefire in Gaza expired on Friday morning, and the
    Israeli army has resumed its air raids and shelling targeting the positions of
    the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. According to the so-called Hamas
    government, an air raid has killed six people in Rafah, while the Health
    Ministry has counted 32 people killed by Israeli bombing, including children.
    Negotiations had continued over the previous night for a new extension of the
    ceasefire, in place since November 24, yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
    accused Hamas of violating the agreement and firing missiles on Israel. Eight
    Israeli hostages were released on Friday in exchange for 30 Palestinians
    detained by Israel.




    WAR IN UKRAINE – Kyiv announced
    Russian invasion forces bombed targets across the country on Thursday night,
    using kh-59 missiles and 25 Shahed 136/131 attack drones in the south.
    Ukrainian armed forces claimed to have shot down 18 drones and a missile. Kyiv
    has accused Moscow of planning a campaign of tactical air strikes targeting the
    energy infrastructure in the middle of winter. A similar operation last year
    left millions of Ukrainians without power and heat over long periods of time.
    Ukraine has since shored up its anti-air defenses with Western weapons,
    although authorities say it will take a while before being able to protect its
    most vulnerable regions.




    365 DAYS OF ROMANIA – Eight Romanian
    brands will live the American Dream in the iconic Times Square in New York
    starting December 1 and running through 2024 as part of the project titled 365
    Days of Romania in Times Square. The project enables Romanian brands to take
    part and share strong messages on the most iconic billboard in the world -
    Nasdaq, organizers say. The first brand to be presented in Times Square on
    December 1 is Arctic, the most powerful Romanian brand according to a survey conducted
    this year by Unlock Market Research & Biz. Other brands such as Romstal,
    Vola.ro, Aqua Carpatica, Bittnet Group, Eazy Insure, Metaminds, 5toGo will all
    start their advertising campaigns in 2024.




    HANDBALL -
    Romania is playing its first match at the World Handball Championships against
    Chile. In the following Group E fixtures, the Romanian women’s team will play
    Serbia on December 3 and Denmark on December 5. The top three teams in each
    group will advance to the so-called main group stage. The best-performing
    player on the Romanian team, Cristina Neagu, four-time best handballer of the
    year, is currently injured and will remain benched for the first games. Romania
    is the only team that has taken part in all 26 editions of the World Handball
    Championship, a competition it won once in 1962. Romania played another two
    finals in 1973 and 2005, and came in third in 2015. Romania was ranked 13th
    at the previous edition. (VP)



  • The Centenary of the Great Union

    The Centenary of the Great Union

    On 1st December, Romania celebrated 100 years since the creation of the nation state. Around 450 different public events were held around the country to mark this anniversary and the National Day.



    Despite the biting cold, with the lowest temperatures recorded on this day in the last 60 years, hundreds of thousands of people attended the outdoor festivities. In the morning, Bucharest hosted the biggest military parade in recent decades. 4,000 military took part, including more than 500 soldiers from 20 partner and allied countries. More than 200 pieces of military equipment were involved and the capital city’s sky was crossed by almost 50 aircraft.



    The equipment included, for the first time, the Patriot missile defence system and the Piranha 5 armoured vehicles made in Romania starting this year. In the afternoon, all eyes were on Alba Iulia, the city in central Romania where Transylvania’s union with Romania was proclaimed on 1st December 1918. Another military parade was held there, the biggest in the city’s history. Patriarch Daniel, the head of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem held a service in front of the Union Cathedral, and President Klaus Iohannis inaugurated the Union Bridge and the Great Union Memorial. The people who came to Alba Iulia from all corners of the country and abroad also celebrated the Centenary through music, as singers from all historical regions of Romania brought their traditions and costumes to the City of the Union.



    Tens of thousands of portions of food were distributed free of charge among those present in Alba Iulia, which, for one day, became a pedestrian-only city. The day ended with a spectacular firework display. Alba Iulia also played host to the 12th edition of the Congress of Romanian Spirituality whose aim is to consolidate dialogue with the Romanians living abroad.



    1st December was in fact celebrated around the world, with the Romanian Cultural Institute and Romania’s diplomatic missions holding numerous events. President Klaus Iohannis urged all Romanians, whether in Romania or abroad, to build together the Romania of the following century united around values such as democracy, freedom and equality before the law. Prime minister Viorica Dancila expressed her wish that Romanians enter the second century of the existence of Greater Romania by emulating the example of the founding fathers, in order to carry through the strategic projects they wished to accomplish for the country. (Translated by C. Mateescu)

  • December 1, 2018 UPDATE

    December 1, 2018 UPDATE

    National Day — On December 1, Romania marked 100 years since the setting up of the Romanian unitary nation state. On this occasion as many as 450 public events were organized all across the country. Bucharest venued the biggest military parade of the past decades, which was a unique moment both through the number of military that passed under the Arch of Triumph and the military equipment and technology presented. 4 thousand military, of whom more than 500 soldiers from 20 partner and allied states, marched in Bucharest. More than 200 technical equipment items were presented and as many as 50 planes flew over the capital. The fighting equipment included for the first time the Patriot missile air-defense system and the Piranha 5 armored vehicles which, starting this year, are being manufactured in Romania. Another military parade took place in Alba Iulia, the city in the center of the country, where the union of Transylvania with Romania was proclaimed on December 1, 1918. This was also the biggest parade ever organized in the city of the union. A Monument of the Union dedicated to Romania’s Centennial was inaugurated there. Previously, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church Daniel and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Teofil III held a religious service in front of the Cathedral in Alba Iulia. Also in Alba Iulia a new edition of the Congress of the Romanian Spirituality was opened which is being attended by representatives of the Romanian communities from all over the world. The representative offices of the Romanian Cultural Institute from abroad in cooperation with Romania’s diplomatic missions organized cultural events to mark Romania’s National Day.



    Congratulations messages — The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis told all Romanians, on the occasion of the National Day and of the 100th anniversary of the Romanian unitary nation state, that the nation needs everybody’s energy and involvement. He said that Romania’s history was full of obstacles but the country managed to have a mature society, with courageous, responsible and more civically- engaged people, who have the power to fight for a better life for themselves and for their children. President Iohannis invited all Romanians in the country and aboard, to build the Romania of the next century together, united by such values as democracy, freedom and equality before the law. In turn, the PM Viorica Dancila expressed confidence that the Romanian society still has enough resources to reach consensus, balance and political wisdom so as to promote its interest as a European nation. Romanians also received congratulations messages from abroad on their national day. The EC wrote on its Facebook page that the EU would not be complete without Romania and posted a short video featuring symbols of Romania. The Moldovan PM Pavel Filip said in turn that Romania was more than a friend and partner for Moldova. Also the American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a congratulations message to the Romanian people, on behalf of the American administration, posted on the website of the US Department of State that quote: “On this day, we celebrate with all Romanians the 100th anniversary of the creation of modern Romania and we reflect on our friendship and strategic partnership” unquote. Also Pope Francis conveyed cordial congratulations to the Romanian people.



    Bucharest winter lights — On Friday evening the winter lights were turned on in Bucharest, earlier than in the previous years, to mark the Great Union centennial. The city was adorned with 9 million light bulbs, three times more than in the previous years. 40 kms of boulevards and streets were decorated with winter lights. In the center of the capital an installation was set up representing the endless Column which measures 12 meters in height and weighs 110 kilograms. The festive lights dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Romanian unitary nation state were turned on by two eminent students in the Constitution Square, which also hosts a Christmas Fair that will be open until December 26.



    Condolence message – The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday conveyed a message of condolences to his American counterpart Donald Trump, on the death of America’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush. According to Klaus Iohannis, George H.W. Bush was a great leader and a genuine man of state, who left behind a valuable political heritage, including for Eastern Europe. Thanks to his efforts, Romania alongside the other states of the former Soviet bloc, has regained its freedom and started on its way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. George H.W. Bush also set the basis for what later became a deep and valuable Strategic Partnership between the USA and Romania. George H.W. Bush died on Friday at 94.



    Football — Romania’s national football team will find out, on Sunday, its opponents in the preliminaries of the EURO 2020, after the drawing of lots to be venued by Dublin, one of the 12 hosts of the continental competition, among which Bucharest as well. Romania’s Arena Nationala – National Arena will host 4 matches in 2020: 3 matches of Group C on June 14, 18 and 22, and a match in the eighth finals on June 29. The 55 teams to participate in the drawing of lots for the preliminaries will be divided into 10 groups, 5 groups of 5 teams each, and 5 groups of 6 teams. Qualifying to the EURO 2020 will be the teams ranking 1st and 2nd in each group. The matches in the preliminary round will take place from March through November 2019.



    Paris — The French riot police and protesters clashed in central Paris during a 3rd weekend of nationwide ‘yellow vest’ rallies caused by increased fuel prices. Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and used water cannons against the protesters who were trying to tear down the barricades. Tens of people have been arrested. In a speech on France’s strategy in the energy sector, the French president Emmanuel Macron said he would not abandon the controversial fuel tax that sparked the protests. (translation by L. Simion)

  • December 1, 2018

    December 1, 2018

    National Day — On December 1, Romania marks 100 years since the setting up of the Romanian unitary nation state. On this occasion as many as 450 public events have been scheduled all across the country. Over 550 thousand people are expected to participate despite the very cold weather. Bucharest venued, in the morning, the biggest military parade of the past decades, which was a unique moment both through the big number of military that passed under the Arch of Triumph and the military equipment and technology presented. 4 thousand military marched in Bucharest of whom more than 500 soldiers from 20 partner and allied states. More than 200 technical equipment items were presented and as many as 50 planes have flown over the capital. The fighting equipment included for the first time the Patriot missile air-defense system and the Piranha 5 armored vehicles which starting this year are being manufactured in Romania. Another military parade took place in Alba Iulia, the city in the center of the country where the union of Transylvania with Romania was proclaimed don December 1, 1918. This is also the biggest parade ever organized in the city of the union. Previously, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church Daniel and the Patriarch of Jerusalem Teofil III held a religious service in front of the Cathedral in Alba Iulia. Also in Alba Iulia a new edition of the Congress of the Romanian Spirituality was opened which is being attended by representatives of the Romanian communities from all over the world. The representative offices of the Romanian Cultural Institute from abroad in cooperation with Romania’s diplomatic missions are organizing cultural events to mark Romania’s National Day.



    Congratulations messages — The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has told all Romanians, on the occasion of the National Day and of the 100th anniversary of the Romanian unitary nation state, that the nation needs everybody’s energy and involvement. He said that Romania’s history was full of obstacles but the country managed to have a mature society, with courageous, responsible and more civically- engaged people, who have the power to fight for a better life for themselves and for their children. President Iohannis invited all Romanians in the country and aboard, to build the Romania of the next century together, united by such values as democracy, freedom and equality before the law. In turn, the PM Viorica Dancila expressed confidence that the Romanian society still has enough resources to reach consensus, balance and political wisdom so as to promote its interest as a European nation. Romanians also received congratulations messages from abroad on their national day. The EC wrote on its Facebook page that the EU would not be complete without Romania and posted a short video featuring symbols of Romania. The Moldovan PM Pavel Filip said in turn that Romania was more than a friend and partner for Moldova. Also the American Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a congratulations message to the Romanian people, on behalf of the American administration, posted on the website of the US Department of State that quote: “On this day, we celebrate with all Romanians the 100th anniversary of the creation of modern Romania and we reflect on our friendship and strategic partnership” unquote. Also Pope Francis has conveyed cordial congratulations to the Romanian people.



    Bucharest winter lights — On Friday evening the winter lights were turned on in Bucharest, earlier than in the previous years, to mark the Great Union centennial. The city was adorned with 9 million light bulbs, three times more than in the previous years. 40 kms of boulevards and streets have been decorated with winter lights. In the center of the capital an installation was set up representing the endless Column which measures 12 meters in height and weighs 110 kilograms. The festive lights dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Romanian unitary nation state were turned on by two eminent students in the Constitution Square, which also hosts a Christmas Fair that will be open until December 26.



    Condolence message – The Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Saturday conveyed a message of condolences to his American counterpart Donald Trump, on the death of America’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush. According to Klaus Iohannis, George H.W. Bush was a great leader and a genuine man of state, who left behind a valuable political heritage, including for Eastern Europe. Thanks to his efforts, Romania alongside the other states of the former Soviet bloc, has regained its freedom and started on its way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. George H.W. Bush also set the basis for what later became a deep and valuable Strategic Partnership between the USA and Romania. George H.W. Bush died on Friday at 94. (translation by L. Simion)

  • November 30, 2018 UPDATE

    November 30, 2018 UPDATE

    NATIONAL DAY – On December 1st, when Romania’s National Day is celebrated, the country marks 100 years since the creation of the Romanian nation state. On this occasion, around 450 public events are held at home and abroad, to be attended by over 550 thousand people. Around 4000 military and specialists with the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service and the Protection and Guard Service will march in Bucharest, together with 200 military vehicles while 50 aircraft will fly over the Triumphal Arch. As many as 500 foreign soldiers will also take part in the December 1st parade. “The moment of December 1st, 1918 would not have been possible without the sacrifice of soldiers on the battlefields, without the wise political elites that strove to turn into reality the national ideal of Romanians in the historical provinces, without the contribution of the royal family and of the national minorities,” Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, said on Friday. The centenary is not only about Romania of the past but also about Romania of the future, President Iohannis went on to say. Alba Iulia, the central Romanian city where on December 1st 1918 the Romanian nation state was proclaimed, is hosting as of Friday a new edition of the Congress of Romanian Spirituality, attended by representatives of Romanian communities from all over the world. A series of cultural events are also being held on the occasion of the National Day at the Romanian Cultural Institute offices abroad, in collaboration with Romania’s diplomatic missions.




    CHRISTMAS FAIR — The Bucharest Christmas Fair opened on Friday marked the start of the winter season through a series of events and shows. The fair will be open for one month. Also as of Friday nine million Christmas light adorn the capital city, three times more than in previous years. Over 40 kilometers of boulevards and streets have been decorated.




    G20 – G20 member nations are struggling to reach agreement on major issues including trade, migration and climate change as world leaders gathered in the Buenos Aires for a summit that started on Friday. This is the first G20 summit ever held in South America. The summit takes place amid new tension with Russia over Ukraine and a US trade row with China. US President Donald Trump has cancelled a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in protest at Russias seizure of Ukrainian naval boats. Trump’s move may also be connected to the internal investigation regarding suspicions of Russian interference in the elections for the White House, commentators believe. The two-day summit in Buenos Aires will be a major test for the Group of 20 industrialized nations, whose leaders first met in 2008 to help rescue the global economy from the worst financial crisis in seven decades, but which now faces questions over its relevance to deal with the latest round of crises, Reuters reports. Before the start of the summit, the US, Canada and Mexico signed a new trade agreement. Saying that all three countries will benefit from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, President Trump said “it is probably the largest trade deal ever made.”




    RELIGIOUS SERVICE — On December 1st Patriarch Theophilos II of Jerusalem and All Palestine will attend alongside Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church the ceremonies in Alba Iulia marking Romania’s National Day and the 1918 Great Union Centennial. The two patriarchs officiated a religious service on Friday, dedicated to St. Apostle Andrew, celebrated on Nov 30 and considered the protector of Romania. The religious service was held at the new national cathedral in Bucharest, inaugurated a week ago. His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos announced that the delegation of the Jerusalem Patriarchate brought with them a fragment of the holy relics of Saint John Jacob for the new cathedral. Patriarch Daniel said that the relics will be placed in one of the chapels at the basement of the National Cathedral which will be dedicated to Saint John Jacob. The Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in Romania Thursday morning to lead the celebrations of the first patronal feast held in the National Cathedral.




    INFLATION – The annual inflation rate in the eurozone dropped in November to 2% from 2.2% the previous month, according to preliminary data made public by Eurostat on Friday. Previously, Eurostat announced that the annual inflation rate went up in October to 2.2% in the eurozone and the EU while Estonia and Romania reported the highest inflation rates in the EU, of 4.5% and 4.2% respectively. Also in October, the unemployment rate stood at 4%,which is below the European average of 6.7%. On the other hand, in Bucharest the Finance Ministry announced that Romania’s general consolidated budget accounted for almost 21 billion lei, that is 4.5 billion euros, in the first 10 months of the year, which is 2.2% of the GDP. From January to October 2018, revenues to the state budget were by almost 12% higher than in the same period last year. Expenditure also grew, by 18% more than in the same period of 2017. The Government says that the budget deficit in 2019 will stay at maximum 3% of the GDP.




    HANDBALL – The Romanian womens handball team is in France where it will play the Czech Republic in the European Championships Group D on Saturday. Romania will next play Germany on December 3 and Norway on December 5. The first three teams in each group will advance to the next phase. Coached by Ambros Martin of Spain, Romania is taking part in the Championship for the 13th time. Two years ago it ranked 5th, while its best performance was in 2010, when it scooped bronze. (Translated by Elena Enache)