August 31, 2018

Romanian Language Day is celebrated around the world; Romania continues to grapple with African swine flu

Corina Cristea, 31.08.2018, 13:29

BUCHAREST — The Foreign Ministry in Bucharest on August 31st joins many other state institutions in celebrating Romanian Language Day. A press release from the ministry reads: The celebration dedicated to this fundamental element of the identity of the Romanian people gains deep symbolism on the year of the Centennial of the Grand Union, urging us to diversify and enrich our linguistic heritage for the new generation and the people who love the Romanian language around the world.” This day is celebrated by local authorities and institutions, by diplomatic institutions around the world, and by Romanian cultural institutes, with cultural, educational, and scientific programs dedicated to the Romanian language. This day is also being celebrated within the Republic of Moldova.

FLU — New cases of African swine flu have been confirmed in Romania, in 800 clusters. The authorities continue to act to limit the effects of the epidemic, with pigs getting culled in a quarter of Romanias counties. The authorities have imposed restrictions in the sale of pork, and checkpoints have been set up at the borders of counties with confirmed cases. The opposition in Bucharest has filed a request in the Chamber of Deputies to set up a committee to investigate the way in which the authorities have managed the epidemic. President Klaus Iohannis renewed his call on the government to act more effectively to prevent the spread of the virus and provide relief to the people affected by it.

BUCHAREST – Romania is left with no football teams in European championships after its top contenders lost their qualifying games. CFR Cluj, current champions, have lost both their games against Luxembourg team Dudelange, 0-2 in the first leg, the away game, and 2-3 at home, which prompted the press in Bucharest to call this the most shameful result in Romanian football history. Vice-champions FCSB, formerly Steaua Bucharest, won the second leg, playing at home against Rapid Viena 2-1, but that was not enough to qualify, as they had lost the first leg 1-3. In other football news, the national team will play in the new continental competition, the UEFA Nations League. Depending on its results, Romania may get better chances in the EURO 2020 preliminaries.

TENNIS — The Romanian-Dutch pair Horia Tecau — Jean Julien Rojer, 6th seeded, play on Friday against the Moldovan-Tunisian pair Radu Albot- Malek Jaziri, in the second round of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, with 53 million dollars in prize money. Tecau and Rojer are last years champions. Three Romanians play in the doubles, the all Romanian pair Monica Niculescu and Irina Begu, as well as Raluca Olaru. In the singles, no Romanian competes any more, after Sorana Cirstea was eliminated on Friday in the second round by Russian Maria Sharapova, 22nd seeded. The US Open started with the shocking elimination of Romanian star Simona Halep, number one in the world.

ENESCU — Between September 1 and 23, Bucharest is host to the 16th edition of the George Enescu International Festival, bringing to the public a number of exceptional recitals with three great musicians, who are going to also be members on the festivals jury. Among the guests are Italian violinist Salvatore Accardo, Swedish pianist Peter Jablonnski, and British cellist Raphael Wallfisch. In total, 270 young musicians from 39 countries, 22 from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, will compete in the four sections — Composition, Violin, Cello, and Piano. This is the 60 year anniversary of the festival dedicated to famous composer, violinist, pianist and conductor George Enescu.

ANNIVERSARY — President Klaus Iohannis has been invited by Queen Elisabeth II of the UK to a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Prince Charles 70th birthday, on November 14. The event, followed by a gala dinner, will be attended by numerous heads of state and government, as well as members of European royal families. Prince Charles is famously friendly to Romania, a country he visits often, where he met President Klaus Iohannis on many occasions.