September 17, 2026
A roundup of national and international news.
Newsroom, 17.09.2026, 13:55
FESTIVAL – From 21 to 27 September, Bucharest will host the 11th edition of an international festival dedicated to intangible cultural heritage, traditional sports and games, intercultural dialogue, and passing living traditions on to younger generations. For seven days, the capital will become a meeting point for delegations from more than 40 countries. A central feature of this year’s edition will be international tournaments and workshops dedicated to traditional sports and games, seven of which are part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage. There will also be a conference and two major intercultural seminars bringing together researchers and specialists in UNESCO world intangible cultural heritage, and in the preservation and transmission of living traditions. These will be complemented by a cultural parade featuring the renowned Ottoman Band, equestrian shows, and traditional gastronomy and crafts workshops.
SHIELD – Romanian ports on the Black Sea and the Danube are to be protected against aerial and maritime drones using modern equipment. The Romanian Naval Forces have already begun testing an anti-drone shield at the Constanţa Military Port – a Black Talon system. Three more devices are due to be supplied by the United States Navy and installed at the military ports of Brăila, Tulcea and Mangalia, near the border with Ukraine.
ADDRESS – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Wednesday in Strasbourg for a stronger, more independent and more capable European Union able to cope with an international environment shaped by the war in Ukraine, economic competition and the rapid transformation brought about by artificial intelligence. In her State of the Union address to the European Parliament, the Commission chief noted, among other things, that the trade deficit with China had reached €1 billion a day, while dependence on raw materials from the country continued to weaken the bloc’s position. To redress the situation, she announced the creation of a European corporation for critical raw materials to ensure supplies to the EU from other sources. This was Ursula von der Leyen’s sixth State of the European Union address.
CONSULTATIONS – In Bucharest, President Nicuşor Dan held further consultations with representatives of the parliamentary parties on nominating a candidate for prime minister. The Social Democrats were the first to attend the consultations, followed by AUR, the nationalist opposition party. “Romania needs a government, stability and coherent governance,” PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu said, adding that his party was ready to take over the government. “AUR will not vote for any government it is not part of,” AUR leader George Simion said in turn. The party is calling for snap elections as the only way out of the political deadlock. “Romania needs a credible government,” interim Prime Minister and PNL leader Ilie Bolojan said, adding that if the designated prime minister’s programme and team met the liberals’ requirements, a formula would be found to have a government installed as soon as possible. Dominic Fritz, leader of the centre-right USR, said his party was also open to discussing another nomination for prime minister if President Nicuşor Dan did not nominate Siegfried Mureşan, who has been proposed by both the PNL and UDMR. He also revived the proposal for two successive minority governments. UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor said his party’s priority was a stable, fully empowered government, while not ruling out the possibility of snap elections.
CELEBRATION – Bucharest Days will take place this weekend, marking 567 years since the capital was first documented. Organisers have prepared concerts, shows, video-mapping projections, guided tours and exhibitions. On Saturday evening, the façade of the Palace of Parliament – the world’s second-largest administrative building – will become a screen for works combining digital art, music and technology as part of the 11th edition of IMAPP Bucharest. On Sunday, a piano and violin recital is scheduled beneath the Arch of Triumph, which can be visited free of charge, along with a music and dance performance at the Military Club and an event featuring Bucharest songs from the 1919-1939 period. Bucharest City Hall will also be open to visitors free of charge as part of guided tours.
VOLLEYBALL – Romania secured a prestigious 3-2 victory over Olympic champions France on Wednesday evening in Cluj-Napoca, north-western Romania, in their final Group D match at the 2026 European Men’s Volleyball Championship, EuroVolley 2026, hosted by Italy, Bulgaria, Finland and Romania. France finished top of the group, followed by Germany, Romania, Latvia, Turkey and Switzerland. The top four teams qualified for the round of 16. Romania will face Ukraine in the last 16, on 20 September in Sofia. (EE)
