Category: RRI Special

World Radio Day 2016

February 13th has been chosen by UNESCO to celebrate World Radio Day (WRD) and to draw public attention to the great importance of radio, without which many people would not have access to information.

This year, the UNESCO theme for World Radio Day is “Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster.

On World Radio Day 2016, we invite you, dear friends, to send us short recorded messages on this topic, by e-mail, as audio-attachments, at engl@rri.ro. You can also send us short written messages on the importance of radio in times of disaster by e-mail or to post them on RRIs Facebook page, on Google+, LinkedIn and Tumblr.

The most interesting texts and audio messages will be included in a special program on RRI, around February 13th, 2016.

Also, if you have royalty-free personal photos illustrative of the role played by radio in your life, or about the role of radio in times of emergency and disaster, please send them to us in electronic format, accompanied by the necessary explanations, in order to create a photo gallery on RRIs website and to post them on our social network profiles.

28 January 2016
Japan extends visa waiver for Romanian citizens

The Romanian Foreign Ministry hails the decision by the Japanese authorities to extend, after January 1 2016, the temporary visa waiver for Romanian citizens travelling to Japan, for a stay of up to 90 days.

Unlike the previous time, the visa exemption will be enforced as of January 1, 2016, for Romanian holders of both simple and temporary passports. The decision by the Japanese authorities is the result of an intense, years long dialogue, held at bilateral and trilateral level (the European Commission, Romania, Japan).

The Romanian Foreign Ministry recommends to the Romanian citizens willing to travel to Japan in the following period of time, to access the Romanian Foreign Ministry’s website to get detailed information on the conditions that should be met to apply for the visa waiver.

18 December 2015
LISTENERS’ DAY November 1, 2015

Hans Verner Lollike, Denmark

“Last year we made holiday in the city of Weimar in Germany. As we always do, we did also visit the churches, that is open to guests and tourists. In one of the churches a rather old lady was one of the volunteers, that looked after the church. As we got to talk, she told us that she was born in Kaliningrad (Königsberg), and her mother fled with the children, they ended up in Copenhagen, Denmark, as 100,000 other Germans in the last days of the war. She told us, that her mother died in the refugee camp, lying in a mass grave in Copenhagen. We did feel bad, because we know, that the German refugees after WWII in Denmark were not treated with love, kept isolated and alive. Most of them did not have any part in the horror regime of Hitler. After WWII there was a terrible refugee situation on top of a smashed infrastructure in most of Europe. Have we forgot? In 1992 the civil war broke out in Yugoslavia, most severe in Bosnia. To Denmark came 17,000 refugees in few months. Close to where we lived, 4 centers were opened. We decided that we could not be friends with all of them, but we would try to find one family. We went to an open door arrangement and got some contacts, that ended up with the Lutfiu-family — Kosovo-Albanians — fleeing Serbian oppression. We are just a family to family friendship — visiting one another, helping out as friends do, participating in joys and sorrows. We are still very close friends after 23 years — and this year they invited us to Kosovo — to see their homeland. We did that in August! Now we know them a little bit better! Again Europe is flooded with refugees! I think we all are going to do our best! — so that all who are threatened on their life, can have a future here, but we can’t have all the poor people coming from all over the world, because they are poor! And how is it? Did the Thracians come once from Asia? Didn’t the Scandinavians come with the other German tribes from Asia — once back in history?”

John Cooper, PA, USA

“I have very strong mixed feelings about the refugee crisis/ migration into Europe and the USA. In todays world we tend to be told we absolutely have to be Politically Correct and not hurt others’ feelings. Im told that I must accept people, issues and norms that Im uncomfortable with. This is wrong and infringes on my rights.

A little background would help you understand. I was born and raised in a family where my father was in the military for 30 years. I was born in England as my father married an English citizen, my mother. My dad was stationed in France in the 1950s. I attended Kindergarten in France in 1957, and went through grades 3-6 in Germany, when my dad was stationed in Wurzburg. I was taught German at the American Elementary School in Wurzburg, as a mandatory subject.

I went into the military in 1971 and had three assignments to Germany. In late 1976 I was stationed in Wiesbaden, and 1979-1982 in Nuremberg, with my last tour being in 1983-1985 at Neu Ulm, the (former) Federal Republic of Germany. Unfortunately the Cold War was still going on, the two Germanies were separate and the Iron Curtain was still up.

Unlike many of my fellow American GIs I felt comfortable travelling, shopping, and living in Germany, and Europe. When I was allowed I always lived off the base I was assigned to. I found the people in Europe to be some of the finest human beings I ever met, and I made many friends because I tried to use the language, and I got involved in activities and customs of the host country I was stationed in.

I saw in Germany first hand how the Turkish Arbeitwerkers and some other immigrants did not assimilate into German society as it was said they were expected to. They basically stayed in their own communities, learned very little German and continued to practice their form of Islam.

I practice my own religion but it does not control all my thoughts or actions everyday. It seems that Islam does not allow some freedoms we take for granted in the ‘Free World!’ Nor does it allow for you to accept different belief systems as I have been taught to do. If someone burns or desecrates a Bible in front of me I would not harm them or call for their death. Sure I would be mad but thats as far as it would go.

The refugees coming into Europe need to assimilate into European Society fully which means accepting the norms, culture, lifestyles and customs of where they live and strive to integrate into the host country which is paramount towards success. This will not happen with Islamic refugees. It also seems to me like people who are so much in fear of their life sure seem to be choosy on where they want to live instead of being happy in any country they are safe in.

Normally this process happens starting with the second and third generation of children from the original parents who immigrated. Europe and any country who allows these people into their countries are setting themselves up for untold problems in the future.

I would like to finish by saying I enjoy listening to RRI and its fantastic English language programming. Listening makes me want to travel to Romania and sample the places I have learned about. Thank you for your programs.”

Ferhat Bezazel, Skikda, Algeria

“I think the refugee crisis, that Europe is facing, is not a new or a modern phenomenon, because immigration from Africa to Europe, via Italy and Spain, is an old phenomenon. However, I think, first of all, of the complexity of the problem and the numerous questions it raises. In my opinion, the most important one is why such people decided to leave their homeland to go to live in a foreign country. The reasons are many and complicated, with insecurity and poverty being among the main reasons. I would like to share with you my own story with the boats of death. In October 2007, I decided to go illegally in a small boat of only ten meters, together with some friends of mine, in an effort to reach the Italian coast. At that time, I foolishly decided to face the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, because all doors of hope seemed closed to my eyes. I am young, I have no work, nor money to live with, and the future is black in my country, Algeria. Furthermore, I live in a small village where terrorist attacks were taking place on a daily basis and people died every week. So, I was living in an atmosphere of fear and poverty. That’s why I took the risk to go to Europe, in search of work. At that time, my own safety and security were not an important question for me. I never thought I might die at sea, as my only dream was to reach the Italian coasts by all means. The journey was like hell: we spent more than 15 hours without food or water at high sea. In the end, we were rescued by an Algerian commercial ship. It was like a nightmare, but I wanted so much to go to Italy, as a refugee. Now I live in Algeria, but nothing has changed. I live in poverty and it is hard to lead a decent life. Right now, I am 35 years old, but I can’t get married and I can’t have a house. I think the refugee crisis in Europe will never end, because theres no democracy, nor chances of leading a decent life in the most countries in Africa or the Middle East. In an effort to find a possible solution, maybe Europe should help the African countries create a stable economy and equal chances to work in the poor countries of the region. In the end, I would like to say that refugees are humans, too, and the European countries should treat them as humans in need.”

David Clarke, St Helen Island

”It brings tears to our eyes when watching the TV and see the plight of the refuges, poor souls, especially the little children and infants. It is hard to believe that this is really happening in the outside world. It is quite apparent that this is a tremendous strain on the resources of the countries involved. We live on this island of 47 square miles, in the middle of nowhere, as they say, where there is peace and tranquillity. If this happened here, we would have insurmountable problems because we are grant-aided by Britain (…), although the island is steeped in history. Weeks ago, on October 15th 2015, the island celebrated the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Napoleon”.

Mitul Kansal, Haryana, India

”The Syrian conflict has devastated the nation, more than 24,000 people have been killed, including 12,000 children. One million others have been wounded or left disabled. Nearly 12 million Syrians, half of them children, have been forced by fighters to leave their homes. At least 7.6 million have been displaced within Syria. And more than 4 million have fled as refugees in neighbouring countries. Children affected by the Syrian conflict are at risk of becoming ill, malnourished, abused or exploited. Millions have been forced to quit schools. Refugees are fleeing to the neighbouring countries of Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and further away, to Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Turkey etc. (…) The refugees need food, clothing, health assistance, shelter, basic household and hygiene items. They need a reliable supply of clean water as well as sanitation facilities. As the winter is coming, they also need warm clothing, heaters etc. Children need a safe protective environment and a chance to go to school. Adults need employment options in case of long-term displacement.(…)It’s difficult for parents to afford books, uniforms, tuition fees for their children. In response to the wave of migration towards Europe, I think, today there is a great need of selfless persons who can provide a helping hand to them and create an atmosphere of hope for refugees. We may have different religions, we may have different languages, we may have different skin color and we may belong to different regions, but one thing is definite and true, we are all belonging to the same human race.”

Khalil Abdel Kader, Algeria

“The refugee crisis now facing Europe is not new, it started several decades ago, when young people from African and Middle Eastern countries left for Western Europe in search of a better life. But the conflicts in these regions, especially the war in Syria, have boosted the migration phenomenon, turning it from individual migration, as it was several decades ago, into collective migration, through which people are trying to escape the consequences of war, poverty and death. However, I believe that the fact that some refugees were happy to be well received in some European countries led to an increase in the migration flows to these countries, the refugees preferring these states to the neighbouring Arab states where the living standard is lower than in Europe. I think that choosing the west and the north of Europe is not beneficial for most refugees, because Europe is itself facing an economic crisis. Furthermore, the western way of living, which is totally different from that in their countries of origin, makes their social integration very difficult. It is true that, for humanitarian reasons, it is necessary to accept the challenges emerged against the backdrop of the refugee crisis, but we also have to think of the future. Maybe the European Union should negotiate solutions for the refugees with some countries outside Europe, especially with the Arab states that have a better economic situation, like Algeria and the Gulf countries, in the sense of hosting certain quotas of refugees. Although I am convinced that, irrespective of the country they come from, the refugees want to settle in Europe. I wish wars would end and the situation in the refugees’ home countries would improve, so that the phenomenon of collective migration should subside and people should be able to have a better life in their own countries.”

Simon Rudd, Manchester, UK

“I have a special feeling for migrants as I’ve never really felt at home in my resident country. If one is to be prepared to travel so as to improve one’s life and to be prepared to contribute to another culture and people, then one should be given the opportunity. As for mine own countrys policy of limited immigration, the UK has limited resources especially within our policy of cutbacks and efforts towards economic surplus”.

Shahzad Shabbir, Chichawatni, Pakistan

“The Syrian civil war has created more than four million refugees. What’s holding back sympathy for the Syrians? They’ve been barrel-bombed in Aleppo by their own regime, they’ve been tortured, kidnapped and massacred by miscellaneous Jihadists and opposition militias. They’ve been in refugee camps for years, waiting for (…) the international community to come to their aid. Now, when they take to the roads, to the boats and to the trains, all our political leaders can think of is…. fences, barbed wire and more police. But this is the real challenge: is German society ready and willing for such a fundamental upheaval, one that will touch on all aspects of peoples lives? It is important to know that the experiment cannot be terminated, even if it fails. That means, decisions are being made today that will have repercussions for generations. And even those who do not regulate what is happening, like the Germans at the moment, are still taking decisions nonetheless. It is time to take control again.”

Madhav Garg, Ambala City, India

“I am a new listener to RRI’s programs and I am very happy to learn that RRI is hosting a forum for its listeners on the subject of the ‘refugee crisis.’ Due to the Syrian conflict, millions of Syrian people have been forced to leave Syria, where thousands of children have been killed. Thousands fled the country and headed for Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Serbia, Hungry, Germany or Iraq, for example. They are living in camps and those who don’t pay high rents for accommodation and others. They have no income sources. The future of their children is very dark. They cannot go to school. So jobs should be created for them, and they should be provided with basic need facilities. We are human beings, and it is our moral duty to provide a helping hand, to heal their wounds”.

1 November 2015
RRI via mobile phone in the US

Dear friends, you can listen to RRI broadcasts on your mobile phone in the USA.

Our English language programmes are available both live and on demand via the following AudioNow “call-to-listen phone number: 716.274.2526. Calling this number incurs no extra charge above the equivalent of a standard US mobile phone call.

1 October 2015
Billions of listeners and viewers will follow the Romanian Radio National Orchestra

The Romanian Radio public broadcaster has been in the last years a true cultural ambassador of Romania in the Asian area through the tours undertaken by the Romanian Radio Orchestras and Choirs in such countries as Japan, China and, from September 2014, Malaysia. The Romanian Radio National Orchestra has been invited to attend a major musical event: World Summit on Media for Children, where, on

September 9th and September 10th 2014, the Romanian artists will be welcomed by the audience from Kuala Lumpur — the capital of Malaysia.

According to the organizers of the event, the two concerts performed by the Romanian Radio National Orchestra are the “main attraction” of the 7th edition of the summit. This is the first time that the international event is organized on the Asian continent, after Melbourne, London, Thessaloníki, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Karlstad.

The two concerts will be audio and video recorded by the public radio and TV broadcaster from Kuala Lumpur and will be broadcast by all members of ABU – Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, reaching thusly a potential audience of several billions of listeners and viewers , in a geographic area which covers half of the planet. The tour is organized by Radio Romania and ABU.

The concerts will be held in the Kuala Lumpur Philharmonic Hall, hosted by the legendary Petronas towers, an emblematic building of the city, two twin skyscrapers which have been considered to be the highest building in the world from 1998 to 2004. The first concert, scheduled on September 9th, will be dedicated to the summit participants, while the second performance will be addressed to the wide audience.

The Romanian Radio National Orchestra will perform under the baton of TIBERIU SOARE, the principal conductor of the Romanian Radio Orchestras and Choirs, who has conducted the ensemble on all tours undertaken in the last seasons. The soloists of the two concerts will be GABRIEL CROITORU — violin and

HORIA MIHAIL — piano, two musicians widely acclaimed in numerous events held at the Romanian Radio Hall.

The programme will be a special one: two Romanian compositions, true “business cards” of the Romanian culture, namely the Rhapsody no. 1, Enescus famous work, and Ciocârlia, composed by Angheluş Dinicu and made famous by the exceptional performance and arrangement carried out by his nephew, violinist

Grigoraş Dinicu. Besides these two works, the Malaysian audience will also listen to several pieces from the international repertoire: the Swan Lake suite by Tchaikovsky, the Burleske for piano and orchestra, signed by Richard Strauss and the Gypsy Melodies, by the Spanish violinist and composer Pablo de Sarasate. The two concerts will also feature two original Malaysian compositions. The tour is organized with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute.

OVIDIU MICULESCU, President Director General of Radio Romania: “We will go there to build a new bridge, a subtle and important one, between our European – rooted culture and the surprising Asia. When voices so different speak with so much love, generosity and talent the same language, which is music, we can say throughly that there is still hope for a better world”.

The participation of the Romanian National Radio Orchestra in Malaysia is an important step in the frame of extending Radio Romanias partnerships beyond the European Broadcasting Union.

“I think that this tour is important especially in terms of media. We are permanently focusing on maintaining our cultural and informative mission and this international attendance brings them together very well. We are speaking about an Asian media summit of great importance and about a concert which will be broadcast by the major Asian televisions, which reach potentially billions of listeners and viewers, therefore our artistic message will be multiplied”, stated Oltea Şerban — Pârâu, the artistic director of the Romanian Radio Orchestras and Choirs and director of Radio Romania Media Cultural Centre.

Organized between September 8th and September 10th, World Summit on Media for Children (WSMC) will have as main topic Mass-media for the 21st century children, will host 2000 participants and is organized by Asia — Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), the Malaysian Radio Television and the WSMC Foundation.

5 September 2014
Happy Easter!

The English Service of Radio Romania International wishes you happy and peaceful Easter holidays!

18 April 2014

Schedule valid from March 30th 2014

Dear friends,

As of March 30th 2014 RRI broadcasts on new SW frequencies. Please check them out:

RECEPTION AREAS	UTC	kHz
WESTERN EUROPE	05.30 — 06.00	7,330 (DRM); 9,700
	11.00 — 12.00	15,130; 17,680
	17.00 — 18.00	9,540 (DRM); 11,810
	20.30 — 21.00	9,800 (DRM); 11,975
	22.00 — 23.00	7,430; 9,765
SOUTH-EAST AFRICA	11.00 — 12.00	15,400; 17,670
NORTH AMERICA (East Coast)	20.30 — 21.00	15,170; 17,510
	00.00 — 01.00	9,700; 11,955
NORTH AMERICA (West Coast)	03.00 — 04.00	7,350; 9,645
JAPAN	22.00 — 23.00	9,790; 11,940
AUSTRALIA	05.30 — 06.00	17,760; 21,500
INDIA	03.00 — 04.00	11,825; 15,220(DRM)

English language programs on RRI’s website

Dear listeners, on our website you can listen to Radio Romania International’s broadcasts in English from the last 7 days. All you need to do is select the day from the list of programmes and then click on the desired programme. The programmes become available as audio files 2 hours after broadcasting. We are looking forward to your feedback.

The Saftica-based SW transmitter center

of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation

28 February 2014

The winter schedule of RRI’s English Section

Dear friends,

As of October 27th 2013 RRI broadcasts on new SW frequencies. Please check them out:

RECEPTION AREAS	UTC	kHz
WESTERN EUROPE	06.30 — 07.00	7,345; 9,600 (DRM)
	12.00 — 13.00	15,460; 17,530
	18.00 — 19.00	5,940 (DRM); 9,780
	21.30 — 22.00	6,030 (DRM); 7,380
	23.00 — 00.00	6,015; 7,220
SOUTH-EAST AFRICA	12.00 — 13.00	17,765; 21,570
NORTH AMERICA (East Coast)	21.30 — 22.00	7,310; 9,435
	01.00 — 02.00	6,145; 7,325
NORTH AMERICA (West Coast)	04.00 — 05.00	6,020; 7,305
JAPAN	23.00 — 00.00	7,395; 9,620
AUSTRALIA	06.30 — 07.00	17,780; 21,600
INDIA	04.00 — 05.00	11,710; 13,730

English language programs on RRI’s website

The Saftica-based SW transmitter center

of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation

5 February 2014

Kagami Biraki: “Opening the Mirror”

“Kagami Biraki” is a traditional ceremony in Japan, whose approximate translation would be “Opening the Mirror”, marking the end of a period of abstinence. The ceremony is usually held on January 11th and it refers to the opening of Kagami Mochi, or the opening of a cask of Sake at a party or ceremony. The ceremony was first observed 300 years ago by order of the fourth Tokugawa Shogun, who, before going to war, gathered his daimyo (or territorial lords) in his castle, to break open a sake cask. Nowadays Kagami Biraki is performed at weddings, sporting events, opening days at new companies and other significant events worthy of being celebrated. During this ceremony, the Kagami Mochi, a traditional rice cake is used as a traditional Japanese New Year decoration.

Many martial arts “dojos” in Japan use the Kagami Biraki ceremony to mark their first practice in the New Year and “dojos” in Romania are no exception to the rule.

So, the Bucharest-based Center of Martial Arts and Associated Studies on Wednesday evening hosted the Kagami Biraki ceremony of commemorating the martial arts school founders and the beginning of a new year of training.

The event hosted by the Romanian Law School Academy in Bucharest, which also included a demonstration of martial arts, brought together martial arts masters and grandmasters, officials of the Romanian martial arts federation, members of the diplomatic corps and journalists.

The Japanese ambassador to Bucharest, His Excellency Keiji Yamamoto, who attended the Kagami Biraki ceremony in Bucharest, wished the participants to renew their feelings and commitments in order to get better performances in the new year.

HE Keiji Yamamoto: “I wish you all that at the beginning of a new year to renew your feelings and efforts in order to obtain better performances. We are in January now, the coldest period of the year and in Japan, the morning or night training during this season bears a special name, ‘Kang ghe ko’ and its main purpose is to strengthen your spirit through training in harsh winter conditions. As you may know in Japanese martial arts, it is not only the physical training that makes the difference, but also the mental strength, which is essential. I believe the spirit of the martial arts will benefit you for the entire life.”

16 January 2014
2013: Our programs…in your letters

“Greetings to all at Radio Romania International. I have become a big fan of your stations mix of news, music, and culture in a fast moving, entertaining format. I shall continue to listen to RRI. Thank you!”

Andrew Sirianni, Ontario, Canada

“I love your radio station! Please keep up the good work! You are gaining popularity in the US!”

Nick Albright of the US

“My primary interest is in international news and cultural programming from other nations, rather than receiving information only after being filtered through the media of my own country. I found your broadcasts to be quite interesting. While the news portion was of a standard sort, your coverage of the George Enescu classical music festival entertained my curiosity regarding local expressions of art and culture. I would never have heard of the event if I had not tuned in to your broadcast.”

Joseph Astalfa, the USA

“Your station is a shining example of the power of short-wave radio, and I love learning about new cultures, especially the ones that I hope to visit someday.”

Matthew Loughlin of Liverpool, the UK

”I listen to RRI because I like to stay in touch with what is happening in one of the most exciting cultures and cultural scenes in Europe, especially with its theatre. I greatly admire Romanian directors and actors, and indeed bands such as the Night Losers. Many thanks for your excellent programmes.”

Michael Dobson, New Oxford, the UK

“Thank you so much for always supplying me with your most informative, precise, well-thought out and fascinating programs. I have learnt so much about your country and culture by listening to your radio station.”

Grant Skinner, the United Kingdom

“For Japan, RRI is a valuable English shortwave broadcaster! I have decided to listen to your station more frequently. Although it is the Internet heyday, I understand that there are lots of fans of shortwave broadcasting in Japan, a small island far away. So thank you for increasing the lifespan of shortwave broadcasting.”

Satoshi Nishimoto, Japan

“I can feel the atmosphere of Europe, especially through the classical music on air.”

Yoshihiro Kusanagi, Japan

“I enjoy the English broadcast to Africa. Your programmes are of great interest to me and hope you will continue with the good work.”

Hamidu Babagana, Nigeria

“I am one of those ageing people, who had the privilege of learning about radio and radio communication while I was still young, and you could still watch the valves inside your receiver glow. I am extremely grateful for that! However, sadly, I am forced to watch one station after the other closing down their shortwave services. Radio Romania, which is one of the strongest stations on shortwave today, seem to be heading the same way, towards closure and oblivion. What the decision makers fail to realize is that they let down all their fellow countrymen in exile, as well as all those who find great pleasure in listening to music, news, and other interesting matters on shortwave. For each shortwave station that closes down, a rug is pulled from under someones feet! I know, though, that the protests of individual listeners are futile, and, therefore, I should really do something else with my life. But the concept of radio and shortwave is too deeply rooted in my mind for me to just walk away from it.”

Bengt Grahn

“Dear friends, I listen to Radio Romania programmes in English for many years. Your broadcasts are becoming much better and dynamic during the years”.

Stanislav Kyselov

”I was so glad to hear Radio Romania International tonight. With so many other stations going dark it is very heart warming to hear you are still going strong. I always look forward to listening to your station when conditions allow. “

Clifford Dunning , Independence, Missouri, the US

“I think that the advantages of SW listening are that news comes directly from the source and is not filtered by others, it does not cost the listener in the sense of a monthly fee and a listener need not be hooked up on the internet. Short wave broadcasting is fairy reliable especially on north-south routes.”

Mike Kander, the US

“International radio stations are more interested in websites rather than broadcasting their transmissions through satellite or other sources. But still a vast audience is made up of people who listen to the broadcasting stations through classical receivers. I am really grateful that you are still presenting broadcasts on the shortwave despite the recession in Europe and many other challenges.”

Sayanangshu Modak, India

“I have been a listener since 1989. I would like to congratulate you on the well-presented and in-depth news. I like your science and technology, culture, and current affairs programs.”

Rana Dewan Rafiqul, President of the Friends Radio Club, Bangladesh,

“I’ve been a listener of your programs for how many years already. All I can say is INFORMATIVE & EXCELLENT, from the news to every single information you share to listeners around the globe. I wish to receive more news for my daily dose of information, not only focusing on Romania, but the rest of the world as well”.

N.S. Balamurali, India

“Dear friends in the radio of peace and friendship. Special greetings of love and devotion from me to you and I hope that you are fine. I enjoy your programs because they are like a window on all that happens in your country.”

Bezazel Ferhat, Algeria

“I listened to an eclectic mix of short segments of news stories from the weekend review programme and I enjoyed very much hearing and learning about your 85 years of broadcasting history on ‘World of Culture’ that focused a lot also on your radio orchestras. I am a bit of a fan of jazz music. As always wishing you good health and a very good weekend and for the week ahead.”

James P. Obrien, the United Kingdom

“I am a student in Geography. I love travelling and probably this is one of the reasons I have taken up Geography. I would also like to visit Romania. It is a beautiful country with wonderful and rich traditions. The Hoia-Baciu Forest area would be one of the priorities, and you know why! I wish RRI continues the wonderful work for all the global audiences. Best wishes for your entire team.”

Taslim Uddin, Bangladesh

“We are alike, since we are Latin, and share almost the same culture. We are also a live and let live culture, yet we achieve the impossible. I heard you and wrote to you during the 1970s. Our friendship has since grown after the revolution of 1989. It has grown since I listen to Romanian football, especially Steaua Bucharest. I love your sports features. ”

Roberto Alvarez Galloso, the USA

“I have been an old listener of RRI. Since I was away on work I had to leave my radio set in my hometown. After many years I’m back to my old fun time of listening to shortwave radio programmes. Radio Romania International is my favourite. Romania is a beautiful country with wonderful music”.

Ronald Simon Fernandes, India

“It is interesting to hear RRI’s broadcasts, and the information on Encyclopaedia is interesting and informative. Keep it up.”

V Neelakandan, India

“All your programmes are very good. I visit your website regularly and enjoy your shows”.

Razzak Hoshin, Bangladesh

“I really appreciate your service and co-operation. Good to listen to this kind of historical program. Great work.”

Karobi Hazarika, India

“I must say how much I enjoy your program that is broadcast to North America on shortwave radio. I listen 5-6 times a week and really enjoy the cooking segments. As a result I have tried to cook a few of the dishes mentioned with some success!”

Chris Cambell, the US

“Dear RRI, as always, it is a pleasure to enjoy listening to your music and programmes about current events in the country. I am glad you still broadcast on shortwave. It seems that every day we learn about some new cuts by a well-known broadcaster. I want to thank all of you for your dedication to listeners everywhere! Your station provides listeners in North America with a good view about life in Romania, as well as Europe. Also, our local media does very little to educate people here on this subject.”

Tim Marecki , the US

“As a regular world service listener for 30 years, I am happy to tell you that during those years I have learned so much about your beautiful country, many changes in different fields, such as economy, society and tourism, which the people of our country would benefit from. I have many reasons I tune in regularly to your English broadcasting programmes, but the most important is the quality of good English programmes. You radio is my favourite world wide broadcasting service.”

I.S.N. Murthy, India

“First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the success of your programs over the past 10 years. Keep up the good work! When I began listening to RRI, I was enthusiastic to listen to you more. You are above all other media stations across the globe with your fine, accurate and comprehensive schedules. You’re my No 1 radio…”

Badsha Jahangir, India

”Since 1965 I have turned around the SW radio bands and listened to RRI and learnt a great deal about this small blue world we live in and believe this has brought people from so many countries.”

David Teal, Durham, England

“I like to participate in RRI’s contests because they give me a lot of things to know about Romania. Taking part in contests makes me engaged in reading and knowing about Romania.”

Rajendra Kumar, India

“Greetings! I was very happy to pick up your broadcast It is always fun when I have time to listen on a short-wave radio instead of digital. I appreciate your website as well. Thank you again for your programs.”

Teresa Hegerich, the USA

“As usual, I enjoy RRI on short-wave in my home. I am not able to send you reception reports, but listening to RRI is not affected. Thank you for your hard work. The special comments you asked for on the occasion of Listeners’ Day is a very innovative approach to connect to listeners. Many famous broadcasters are not doing this. Your job is extraordinary and I appreciate it. Thanks for your good work.”

Shri Bhagwan Sharma, India

“As a teenager in the late 1970s, I listened to shortwave radio and I believe this led to a desire to learn about history and geography. I got away from shortwave radio in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s except for brief times now and again. I have now returned to the enjoyment of short-wave radio. While I know that I can get most broadcasts on the Internet, the thrill of hearing a shortwave broadcast over the air still fascinates me. This is my first reception report ever sent. Thank you for being there, generally loud and clear”.

Michael E. Miller of the US

“I am 61 years old and I started listening and Dxing in 1973. I live in Thessaloniki with my wife and two children. I really enjoy listening to your station, especially because you have programs with wide variety and beautiful songs. I listen to your station very often, because I like your traditional music and there are many common elements with Greek music.”

Kyriakos Dritsas, Thessaloniki, Greece

“As a listener of Radio Romania International since the 1950s, it is a great pleasure to still be in close touch with Romanian people, events and culture every day through your short wave service.”

John Eberle, the USA

“First of all, thank you for the books I received recently as my prize for taking part in your Radio Romania competition. I am particularly interested in the book about King Michael. It is fascinating to get his perspective on the events of August 1944, on Marshal Antonescu, and his enforced exile at the end of 1947. The people, King Michael observes, were not given the chance to decide whether they wanted a king or not when the Communists forced him to leave Romania. As I listened to the commentary about the strained relationship between the presidency and government today, I wondered how many Romanians might prefer a constitutional monarch now. Perhaps, once again, they will not be given a chance to say. I know this is a subject I have aired before but the book and commentary prompted thoughts on it again.”

Brian Kendall, the UK

“Your broadcasts are coming in as clear as usual and I still enjoy your programming, especially the history and cultural features and ‘All That Jazz’. Since the Voice of Russia ended their jazz program, you seem to be the only international broadcaster with a jazz program. Please keep it on the air. Thank you for your Listeners’ Day question. Although over the years my participation in the event has been haphazard at best, this year your question has sparked my imagination since I am a perpetual student of theories of historical cycles.”

John Rutledge of Marion, IL, the USA, currently living in China)

“International Radio Stations are more interested in websites rather than broadcasting their transmissions through satellite or other sources. But still a vast audience of listeners is made up of people who listen to the broadcasting stations through local stations. I am really grateful to RRI who is still presenting its broadcast on the short-waves despite the recession in economy in Europe and many other challenges.”

Nasir Aziz, Pakistan

31 December 2013
85 Years of Radio Broadcasting in Romania

With three national and nine regional stations, as well as an international channel broadcasting in ten languages, Radio Romania stands as a mainstay of public radio worldwide.On this special day, many Romanian and foreign personalities shared with us their thoughts on the national public radio.

“Radio Romania has been an element of balance and stability and has been a part of Romania’s history over the past 85 years. The founding document of the Public Radio was signed by King Ferdinand, so it was born under the sign of royalty. It went through difficult times, the war and the communist period…Things haven’t been simple, but the institution didn’t lose its principles, and remained committed to its public mission.”

(Ovidiu Miculescu, President and CEO of the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation)

“Dear listeners, dear members of staff, today we are all celebrating the 85th anniversary of Radio Romania. Radio Romania is a respected and very much appreciated member of the radio community of the European Broadcasting Union. It contributes not only with fantastic concerts to the biggest music hall of the world, but it also participates in the discussion about the future of radio. The programs of Radio Romania in those last 85 years have been formed and transformed by governments, by wars, by technology, but most importantly by its staff, and by you, the listeners. I wish you all, on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union, good luck and I hope that you remain engaged and connected on whatever device with Radio Romania. And if that’s the case, I’m sure that the future of Radio Romania is bright.”

(Ingrid Deltenre, Director General of the European Broadcasting Union)

“I think public radio is there to keep a conversation alive, and to keep a conversation at a high level, to enable people to know what their neighbors are thinking, even though they don’t bump into those neighbors and talk about intellectual matters with them in the street . It’s one of the lovely things about coming to Romania, it’s a country where the arts clearly matter, and there is a very lively public discussion about the arts, and for me about the creation in particular. And Radio Romania is clearly a very important participant in that conversation.”

(Professor Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon)

“I want to send RADIO ROMANIA greetings from Ireland, with thanks for all your support over the years. Congratulations on your 85th birthday and best wishes for the future. “

(Irish Composer Shaun Davey)

“I would hope that Radio Romania continues doing what it has done in the past and my experience with it has shown that, I’ve been involved in your cultural radio section and I think the quality of the staff coming out from there was very good. I would hope I could congratulate your radio on its fine achievements in the past and really hope that it continues to do so in the future, to continue to give what it gave in the past, in the future. “

(Theater Critic Maria Shevtsova, Professor at the London University)

1 November 2013
The Awards of the International Radio and Television Union

A report on “Sighet — an island on the border” by our colleagues at the French Service of RRI was one of the finalists in the 25th edition of the awards of the International Radio and Television Union (URTI).

Produced by Ileana Taroi and Andrei Popov, the report looks at the multicultural and multi-religious town of Sighet, on Romania’s northern border, also known for one of the most terrifying communist prisons.

The URTI award ceremony took place in Paris, on Wednesday night, with the Grand Prix awarded to a programme from Camerun.

Romania was represented at the award ceremony by the President and CEO of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation, Ovidiu Miculescu, who awarded the bronze medal to the President of the Algerian Radio Broadcasting Corporation, Chabane Lounakel, for the program “LAfrique des Frontieres”.

The International Radio and Television Union, established in 1949, brings together 66 broadcasters from 51 countries.

17 October 2013