Radio România Internațional

Tag: National Anthem Day

July 29, 2020

COVID-19
IN ROMANIA – The National Committee for Emergency Situations has proposed face
masks should become compulsory in open-air spaces during certain intervals.
Once public health directorates have issued an opinion on this matter, local
authorities will decide where the measure will be introduced and during which
hours. Exempt from this rule will be people carrying out strenuous physical
activity or 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 soft drinks during 11 PM and 6 AM. Outside this interval,
economic operators are forbidden from admitting a number of clients higher than
the maximum number of seats and must ban activities entailing physical
interactions between clients. On beaches, people must observe a minimum
two-meter distance, with the exception of families. The Government has taken
under advisement the Committee’s recommendations and will make a decision soon.
Meanwhile the number of new infections has exceeded 1.000 for the eighth
consecutive day. Over 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 IN THE WORLD – Nearly 17 million
people have been infected so far with SARS CoV2 worldwide, the latest
worldometers.info report shows. Some 664 thousand people died and 10.5 million
people have recovered. While efforts continue to develop a vaccine, several
Governments are imposing harsher measures to prevent a second wave of the
pandemic. The World Health Organization is urging countries to do mass-testing
and see that the population observes precautionary measures. The United States
on Tuesday reported nearly 1.600 deaths, the highest in the last two and a half
months, reads a John Hopkins University report. Also on Tuesday the US reported
60.000 new infections, after a slight decrease in the last two days. Some 4.3
million people have been infected with COVID-19 in the United States, and 149.000
people have died so far to the virus. 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 where face masks are compulsory in open spaces as well.
Bulgaria is now demanding citizens from 10 states to provide proof of a
negative test against COVID-19, which has to be no older than 72 hours at the
time of entry. In Greece, face masks are again compulsory in stores, banks,
public service buildings and in other enclosed spaces.

FUNDS – Romania’s
President, Klaus Iohannis, is today holding a new meeting focusing on European
funds. According to the Presidency, attending are several members of the
Government, including Prime Minister Ludovic Orban, Deputy-Prime Minister Raluca
Turcan, Finance Minister Florin Citu, Economy Minister Virgil Popescu, Minister
of European Funds Marcel Bolos and Transport Minister Lucian Bode. The
absorption of European funds was also discussed in last week’s Government
meeting in Bucharest. The president recently said that the €80 billion the
European Commission has allotted Romania will be used for economic
reconstruction. The money will be disbursed from the 2021-2027 multi-annual EU
budget and from the post-COVID-19 economic recovery plan.

DEFENSE – Romania’s Defense
Minister, Nicolae Ciuca, and the Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant-General
Daniel Petrescu, today met with Lieutenant-General Eric P. Wendt, Commander of
the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ). According to a Ministry
release, talks focused on hot topics on the NATO agenda, including Allied
efforts to contain the coronacrisis. Minister Nicolae Ciuca hailed NSHQ’s
substantial contribution to Romanian military deployed to the Resolute Support
mission in Afghanistan. The Romanian official said cooperation is excellent
between NSHQ and Romanian forces, both during drills as well as in theatres of
operations.

NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY – Every year, on
July 29, Romania celebrates National Anthem Day. This year the event is marked
by public authorities and other state institutions by means of specific
cultural events and actions and military ceremonies, organized bythe Ministries
of Defense and the Interior, while strictly observing COVID-prevention
measures. As part of ceremonies held in Bucharest and other large cities, the
national anthem will be performed while the flag is being raised. This year,
famous pan flute player Nicolae Voiculet will be performing the national
anthem, Awaken thee, Romanian! at 2.300 meters by the Heroes’ Cross in Bucegi
Mountains, alongside 40 other artists. Celebrated on July 29, the National
Anthem Day was 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. On music by Anton Pann, the anthem was inspired by a
patriotic poem by Andrei Muresanu in 1848.

(Translated
by V. Palcu)

29 July 2020
July 29, 2018 UPDATE

ANTHEM DAY – National Anthem Day was celebrated in Romania on Sunday. On the occasion, president Klaus Iohannis conveyed a message, saying that this year, when Romanians celebrate 100 years since the formation of the Romanian unitary state, celebrating Anthem Day is another opportunity to reiterate this countrys commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. National Anthem Day was proclaimed in 1998 and is celebrated every year on July 29th. The current anthem is titled Awaken, thee, Romanian! and is based on a poem by Andrei Muresanu, published in 1848.

SIGHISOARA FESTIVAL – Sunday was the last day of the 25th Medieval Festival in Sighisoara, central Romania, the only medieval fortress in south-eastern Europe that is still inhabited. 270 artists from five countries participated in the festival with some 100 performances. This years theme was Medieval Legends. The organizers did their best to bring this years edition to the level deserved by the oldest medieval festival in Romania.

NATO – Three vessels with the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group are stationed for four days in the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta, in south-eastern Romania. After stopovers in the ports of Burgas and Odessa, in Bulgaria and Ukraine respectively, the Romanian minesweeper Lt. Lupu Dinescu, the Turkish mine hunter TCG Anamur and the German auxiliary ship FGS Rhein are now docked in the Romanian port until July 31st. The vessels have participated in the multinational exercise BREEZE 18 in the territorial waters of Bulgaria and the Black Sea international waters, and also in joint drills with Ukrainian ships. On Sunday, the vessels were open to visitors. After the stop in the Constanta Port, the NATO ships will carry on their training and surveillance missions in the Black Sea.

ARMY – The Romanian Defense Ministry carries on the army equipping program, by allotting this year one third of the total budget earmarked for this field, the Defense Minister Mihai Fifor has announced. He has also stated that a mobile anti-vessel missile launching system will be purchased. “We want all our major equipping programs to be able to bring back to the industry a large amount of money”, Mihai Fifor has said. As regards the Piranha 5 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program, the minister has stated that the first 36 vehicles are to be received this year. Six of them will be assembled at the Romanian Defense Industries National Company.

GREECE – An investigation run by the Hellenic Fire Service has revealed that the first fire in Greece was started by a local, who wanted to burn some branches, and the authorities know the identity of that person. The New Democracy party, the main opposition party in Greece, has accused the Government of being incapable of protecting the Greek citizens lives and assets. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has stated he takes full political responsibility for the tragedy. The investigation into the causes of the disaster is still underway. The provisional death toll stands at 88. Romania helped the Greek authorities with one aircraft designed to extinguish fires and another one for logistical support. Their mission ended on Saturday, and the aircraft returned back home.

WEATHER – Extreme weather is affecting the entire world. Northern Germany is faced with severe drought, and farmers have lost hope that anything will save their crops. They have called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency, in order for them to get state aid. Sweden is in a similar situation, affected by drought and wildfires. Norway too has reported the most severe drought in the past decades. Across the ocean, in northern California, forest fires have destroyed hundreds of buildings and continue to be a threat to thousands more. Also, dozens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. In Japan, several people have been wounded and thousands have had to leave their homes, as Typhoon Jongdari hit the west of the country, less then a month after the region was devastated by flooding.

29 July 2018
July 29, 2018

ANTHEM DAY – According to the Romanian Defense Ministry, National Anthem Day is celebrated in garrisons across the country today. To honour the day, a religious mass and a musical show have been held in the National Flag Square in Bucharest. The Romanian head of state Klaus Iohannis has conveyed a message on the occasion, saying that this year, when Romanians celebrate 100 years since the formation of the Romanian unitary state, celebrating Anthem Day is another opportunity to reiterate this countrys commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. National Anthem Day was proclaimed in 1998 and is celebrated every year on July 29th. The current anthem is called Awaken, thee, Romanian! and is based on a poem by Andrei Muresanu, published in 1848.

SIGHISOARA FESTIVAL – Today is the last day of the 25th Medieval Festival in Sighisoara, central Romania, the only medieval fortress in south-eastern Europe that is still inhabited. 270 artists from five countries have participated in the festival with various shows and events. This years theme has been Medieval Legends. Todays program includes conferences, recitals, a shadow play based on the legend of Tristan, knight fighting and fire juggling. The organizers have tried to bring this years edition to the level deserved by the oldest medieval festival in Romania.

NATO – Three vessels with the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group have docked for four days at the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta, in south-eastern Romania. After stopovers in the ports of Burgas and Odessa, in Bulgaria and Ukraine respectively, the Romanian minesweeper Lt. Lupu Dinescu, the Turkish mine hunter TCG Anamur and the German auxiliary ship FGS Rhein are now docked in the Romanian port until July 31st. The vessels have participated in the multinational exercise BREEZE 18 in the territorial waters of Bulgaria and the Black Sea international waters, and also in joint drills with Ukrainian ships. Today, the vessels are open to visitors. After the stop in the Constanta Port, the NATO ships will carry on their training and surveillance missions in the Black Sea.

ARMY – The Romanian Defense Ministry carries on the army equipping program, by allotting this year one third of the total budget earmarked for this field, the Defense Minister Mihai Fifor has announced. He has also stated that a mobile anti-vessel missile launching system will be purchased. “We want all our major equipping programs to be able to bring back to the industry a large amount of money”, Mihai Fifor has said. As regards the Piranha 5 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program, the minister has stated that the first 36 vehicles are to be received this year. Six of them will be assembled at the Romanian Defense Industries National Company.

GREECE – An investigation run by the Hellenic Fire Service has revealed that the first fire in Greece was started by a local, who wanted to burn some branches, and the authorities know the identity of that person. The New Democracy party, the main opposition party in Greece, has accused the Government of being incapable of protecting the Greek citizens lives and assets. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has stated he takes full political responsibility for the tragedy. The investigation into the causes of the disaster is still underway. The provisional death toll stands at 88. Romania helped the Greek authorities with one aircraft designed to extinguish fires and another one for logistical support. Their mission ended on Saturday, and the aircraft returned back home.

WEATHER – Extreme weather is affecting the entire world. Northern Germany is faced with severe drought, and farmers have lost hope that anything will save their crops. They have called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency, in order for them to get state aid. Sweden is in a similar situation, affected by drought and wildfires. Norway too has reported the most severe drought in the past decades. Across the ocean, in northern California, forest fires have destroyed hundreds of buildings and continue to be a threat to thousands more. Also, dozens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes. In Japan, several people have been wounded and thousands have had to leave their homes, as Typhoon Jongdari hit the west of the country, less then a month after the region was devastated by flooding.

29 July 2018
July 29, 2017 UPDATE

DIASPORA
– Prime Minister Mihai Tudose has decided to grant the Romanian Minister for
Romanians Abroad more prerogatives to act so that no Romanian citizen abroad is
discriminated against. Governmental sources have stated for Radio Romania that
the Prime Minister will meet with the Spanish Ambassador to Bucharest Ramiro
Fernandez Bachiller and the Romanian Minister Adreea Pastarnac for talks on
this matter. On Friday, the Association of Romanians in Europe called on the
Prime Minister to take urgent measures to protect the Romanians who are working
abroad and are abused. This week alone, authorities in Spain and Italy have
discovered thousands of Romanians exploited by employers in those countries.

ROMANIAN ARMY– Romania’s Higher Defense Council will convene in Bucharest
on Tuesday to discuss the plan for equipping the Romanian army in the 2017 -
2026 period. The plan was built taking into account the commitment that all
political parties made in 2015 to allocate 2% of the GDP to defense, for a
period of ten years, starting this year. We recall that the latest meeting of
the Defense Council was held on July 4th, when the Plan was removed from the
agenda of talks, because of a lack of political consensus on the matter.

NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY– Garrisons across the country and theatres of operations
abroad celebrated on Saturday Romania’s National Anthem Day. In a message
conveyed on this occasion, Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis says that the
national anthem, titled ‘Awaken, thee, Romanian!’ symbolizes the efforts
made by Romanians to build a strong and prosperous country. The anthem became
official in 1990, but it was sung for the first time during the revolution of
1848 and then in crucial moments in Romania’s history, during the first and the
second world wars, the War of Independence and the Great Union of 1918. The
value of this anthem is embedded in the Constitution of Romania, alongside the
national flag, emblem and seal, Klaus Iohannis has also said. He has called on
all Romanians to honor this national symbol and to sing it with pride, as a
gesture of solidarity and a means of affirming their national identity, unity
and patriotism. Romanian embassies, consulates and cultural institutes abroad
also held events occasioned by National Anthem Day, alongside other events
aimed at promoting Romanian traditions and culture.

ROMANIAN PARLIAMENT – The permanent bureau of the Romanian Chamber
of Deputies will convene next week to discuss the request for an extraordinary
parliamentary session on August 2-4. Recently, the Social Democrat Prime
Minister Mihai Tudose has stated that a special parliamentary session is needed
to endorse the passing of ELCEN, a producer of electricity, under the
subordination of the Bucharest municipality. The leader of the opposition
National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban has stated that, if the meeting is held,
he will also ask for the hearing of Finance Minister Ionut Misa on the budget
implementation in the first six months of the
year, which, according to the liberals, has been catastrophic.

INCIDENT– Romania’s decision to deny access to its airspace for a
plane which had the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin on board was a
provocation, which put passengers in danger and which will seriously affect
bilateral relations, warns the Russian Foreign Ministry, which has presented a
protest note and has called for explanations. The Romanian National Defense
Minister Adrian Tutuianu has termed as ‘inappropriate’ the Russian official’s
reaction. We recall that on Friday, the regular flight Moscow – Chisinau was
denied access to Romania’s air space as on board the plane there was a person
on the list of people subject to EU sanctions. The plane eventually landed in
the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Dmitri Rogozin was supposed to meet on Friday
with the president of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon and with the leader of
the separatist regime in Transdniestr, Vadim Krasnoselski.

NORTH KOREA– The Romanian Foreign Ministry has firmly
condemned the latest ballistic test conducted by North Korea. In a communiqué
issued on Saturday, the Romanian diplomacy describes the action as a fresh
escalation of tension in the Korean Peninsula and a major threat to global
peace. The Romanian Foreign Ministry calls again on the Pyongyang regime to observe
the international regulations in force and to take concrete measures to
denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, completely and irreversibly. Previously, the
EU had too condemned the latest missile test conducted by North Korea,
describing it as a threat to world peace and security. The ballistic missile
launched by North Korea flew 45 minutes and landed in the Japanese waters, 200
miles from the country’s coast line.

PASSEX– The Ukrainian Naval Forces are these days taking
part in PASSEX drills in the Black Sea, alongside ships from NATO member
countries: Great Britain, Turkey and Romania. The drills are carried out by the
Ukrainian frigate ‘Hatman Sahaidacini’, the British destroyer ‘Duncan’, the
Turkish frigate ‘Yildirim’ and the Romanian frigate ‘Regele Ferdinand’ (King
Ferdinand). These drills are aimed at improving the participants’
interoperability. Ukraine and NATO set up a partnership in 1991, shortly after
Kiev won its independence from the former Soviet Union. Ukraine cooperates
closely with the Alliance and plays and active part in NATO’s Partnership for
Peace program.

29 July 2017
July 29, 2017

ROMANIAN ARMY – Romanias Higher Defense Council will convene in Bucharest on Tuesday to discuss the plan for equipping the Romanian army in the 2017 – 2026 period. The plan was built taking into account the commitment that all political parties made in 2015 to allocate 2% of the GDP to defense, for a period of ten years, starting this year. We recall that the latest meeting of the Defense Council was held on July 4th, when the Plan was removed from the agenda of talks, because of a lack of political consensus on the matter.

NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY – Garrisons across the country and theatres of operations abroad celebrate today Romanias National Anthem Day. In a message conveyed on this occasion, Romanias President Klaus Iohannis says that the national anthem, titled Awaken, thee, Romanian! symbolizes the efforts made by Romanians to build a strong and prosperous country. The anthem became official in 1990, but it was sung for the first time during the revolution of 1848 and then in crucial moments in Romanias history, during the first and the second world wars, the War of Independence and the Great Union of 1918. The value of this anthem is embedded in the Constitution of Romania, alongside the national flag, emblem and seal, Klaus Iohannis has also said. He has called on all Romanians to honor this national symbol and to sing it with pride, as a gesture of solidarity and a means of affirming their national identity, unity and patriotism. Romanian embassies, consulates and cultural institutes abroad are also holding events occasioned by National Anthem Day, alongside other events aimed at promoting Romanian traditions and culture.

INCIDENT – Romanias decision to deny access to its airspace for a plane which had the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin on board was a provocation, which put passengers in danger and which will seriously affect bilateral relations, warns the Russian Foreign Ministry, which has presented a protest note and has called for explanations. The Romanian National Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu has termed as inappropriate the Russian officials reaction. We recall that on Friday, the regular flight Moscow – Chisinau was denied access to Romanias air space as on board the plane there was a person on the list of people subject to EU sanctions. The plane eventually landed in the capital of Belarus, Minsk. Dmitri Rogozin was supposed to meet on Friday with the president of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon and with the leader of the separatist regime in Transdniestr, Vadim Krasnoselski.

NORTH KOREA – The EU has condemned the latest missile test conducted by North Korea, describing it as a threat to world peace and security, France Presse reports. According to the EU, the test was a flagrant violation of North Koreas international obligations, stipulated in several UN Security Council resolutions. The Union has called on the Pyongyang regime to refrain from further provocations, which might raise tension at regional and global level. On Friday, North Korea launched a ballistic missile, which landed in the Japanese waters, 200 miles from the countrys coast line. The missile flew for 45 minutes and no incidents were reported. The information has been confirmed by the South-Korean army, which say the missile was launched from the province of Jagang, in the north of the country. Pyongyang has described the test as a success and a serious warning to the US.

PASSEX – The Ukranian Naval Forces are these days taking part in PASSEX drills in the Black Sea, alongside ships from NATO member countries: Great Britain, Turkey and Romania. The drills are carried out by the Ukrainian frigate Hatman Sahaidacini, the British destroyer Duncan, the Turkish frigate Yildirim and the Romanian frigate Regele Ferdinand (King Ferdinand). These drills are aimed at improving the participants interoperability. Ukraine and NATO set up a partnership in 1991, shortly after Kiev won its independence from the former Soviet Union. Ukraine cooperates closely with the Alliance and plays and active part in NATOs Partnership for Peace program.

ARTMANIA – Dubbed the Queen of symphonic rock, Tarja returns to Romania after six years to take part in the ARTmania Festival, underway in Sibiu. With an exceptional ambitus, impeccable technique and the spirit of a genuine rocker, the Finish soprano and pianist has won international acclaim as soloist of the Nightwish band. She is performing in Sibiu as part of the tour called The Shadows Show, which she started late last year to promote her latest album The Shadow Self. Many other artists will perform at the festival in Sibiu, including newcomers such as You Me At Six from Great Britain and Beyond the Black from Germany.

EYOF – The Romanian national womens handball team will play the final of the summer edition of the European Youth Olympics Festival, hosted by Gyor, Hungary. On Friday, the Romanian team defeated Russia 30-26. In the final, the Romanian handball players will take on the Hungarian squad. Its for the first time that a team sport in Romania wins a medal at the European Youth Olympics Festival. On Friday, Romania won another two medals. The gymnast Denisa Maria Golgota won silver in the vault event, and judoka George Eduard Serban won bronze in the 90 kg category. So far, Romania has won five medals: two silver and three bronze. Romania is taking part in this years games with 77 athletes. In 2015 in Tbilisi Romania won 10 medals: three gold, five silver and two bronze.

29 July 2017
July 29, 2016 UPDATE

CELEBRATION – Ceremonies were held on Friday in the capital Bucharest and several other Romanian cities to mark the Romanian Anthem Day, celebrated every year on July the 29th. The Romanian anthem, “Deşteaptă-te, române!” or “Awaken thee, Romanian!” in English was written by Romanian poet Andrei Mureşanu (1816-1863) and it was first performed during the European Revolution in 1848. It was banned during the Communist years in Romania until immediately after the country’s anti-Communist revolution in 1989.

PROSECUTION – The Liberal MP Ioan Oltean is prosecuted alongside the former head of the National Authority for Property Restitution Crinuta Dumitrean in a case of illegal damages paid for a bloc of land in the town of Pitesti. Prosecutors say that the damages to the state budget in this case stand at almost 100 million lei.

CORRUPTION — The deputy governor of the National Bank of Romania, Bogdan Olteanu, was placed under 30-day home arrest on Friday. Olteanu was taken into custody on Thursday night for influence peddling. According to prosecutors, between July and November 2008, while serving as Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Olteanu requested and received 1 million euro and election support from a business man, in exchange for appointing someone as governor of the Danube Delta. The same source mentions that the individual in question was appointed Danube Delta governor in September 2008. Olteanu’s lawyer has announced that on Monday his client will submit his resignation from the position of deputy governor of the National Bank of Romania. A Liberal since 1991, Bogdan Olteanu has been a deputy governor of Romania’s central bank since 2009. The National Bank explained in a news release that the investigation targets Bogdan Olteanu’s activity before he was appointed deputy governor.

UNEMPLOYMENT — The unemployment rate went down by 0.2% in July, to 568,000 people between 15 and 74 years of age currently jobless, the National Statistics Institute has announced. Unemployment among men is higher than the corresponding rate for women. People aged between 25 and 74 account for 78% of the total number of people on welfare in July.

ECONOMY –Fitch rating agency lowered its long-term local currency debt rating for the city of Bucharest from “BBB” to ”BBB-”, with stable outlook. According to the Agency, the changes take into account developments related to the country rating, because the rating for specific administrative units cannot be higher than the national one. Last week, Fitch adjusted Romania’s long-term local currency rating to the ”BBB-”, stable outlook rating for long-term foreign currency debt. Fitch also confirmed the ceiling for Romania’s country rating at ”BBB+”.

US ELECTION – Hillary Clinton has officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president of the US. The former state secretary became the first female presidential nominee, and her speech closed the Democratic Convention, launching Clinton’s direct race against her Republican opponent Donald Trump. During the Convention, the latter was subject to several attacks by key Democratic leaders, including President Barack Obama and vice-president Joe Biden. They accused Trump, a billionaire brought to public attention by a reality show, of demagogically posing as a defender of the middle class. Hillary Clinton has also criticised Trump, saying his vision divides the Americans. In her address at the Democratic Convention, Hillary Clinton emphasised her political experience, both as a senator and as a secretary of state, and approached all the topics of importance to American voters, from gun control to the need to revive the middle class.

TURKEY — The European Commissioner in charge with Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, Johannes Hahn, warned Ankara with respect to its treatment of suspects after the attempted coup. He said that suspicions of treatment in breach of human rights legislation would have consequences. Hahn mentioned that the migrant subsidy agreement with Turkey was in force, and the migration wave towards the EU had been reduced. After the failed coup of July 15, Turkish authorities proceeded to a crackdown on all those suspected of involvement. Many observers speak about cleansing, given the scope of the campaign initiated by the authorities: over 60.000 army, judiciary, police, administration and education personnel have so far been arrested, fired or suspended from office.

(Translated bu Elena Enache)

29 July 2016