August 23, 2019 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news.
Newsroom, 23.08.2019, 20:00
BUCHAREST — On Friday, August 23rd, the Day of Commemorating the Victims of Fascism and Communism, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis conveyed a message emphasizing the fact that honoring victims means firm action, in line with authentic democratic principles. 80 years ago in 1939, a Soviet-Nazi pact was signed, and the Romanian president said that Fascist and Communist regimes cannot be relativized, and that there is an obligation to firmly condemn the two ideologies in all their forms. He also recalled that, on August 23, 1944, King Michael I decided to break the alliance with Germany and to join the Allies. Historians assess that this move shortened the war in Europe by half a year, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Three years later, when the country was under Soviet occupation, led by a puppet government, King Michael I was forced to abdicate and go into exile.
CANDIDACY — Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila announced on Friday, after the National Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party, the main party of the ruling coalition in Bucharest, the nominations for ministers that are to be submitted to President Klaus Iohannis for approval. Thus, judge Dana Girbovan is the proposal for Justice Minister, the PSD secretary general Mihai Fifor for Interior Minister, senator Serban Valeca for Education Minister, former Justice Minister Ana Birchall for the post of deputy prime minister for the implementation of strategic partnerships and Iulian Iancu is the proposal for deputy PM for economic affairs.
FESTIVAL — In Brasov, central Romania, the 19th edition of the Golden Stag International Music Festival continues. 12 artists from 10 countries, two of them Romanian, compete for the Grand Trophy. The first two evenings were set aside for the voice interpretation competition. Continuing a tradition half a century old, the competitors have to sing a Romanian song in addition to one of their own choice. On Saturday, at the gala, the winners are announced and awards are granted. On Sunday, the evening is dedicated to folklore and traditional music. The Golden Stag International Music Festival started in 1968, and had 18 editions, with the last one, that of 2018, dedicated to its half century anniversary.
AIRSHOW — Baneasa Airport, north of Bucharest, on Friday hosted the General Aviation Exhibition, dedicated to the biggest airshow in Romania. Also on Friday, pilots who performed in the airshow started training. The Bucharest International Air Show, in its 11th edition, is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the main international airport in Bucharest, and to the 15th anniversary of Romania joining NATO. (Translated by Elena Enache)
