This week…in your letters

“I just finished listening to another delightful broadcast of Radio Romania International. I can’t begin to tell you how many times over the years I have tuned in to your station. But, I can tell you I first heard Radio Bucharest in the early 1970s, and haven’t stopped listening since. Even after 40 years I still find Romania exotic, and this is coming from a guy who has travelled around the world and lived in much of the US, England and Malaysia over his 60 odd years. Why exotic? I suppose it is the way you describe Romanian culture, the varied selection of Romanian music, old and new, and the profiles on Romanians themselves. Romania is indeed much more than Transylvania and, the equally more famous, Nadia Comaneci. I learn so much each time I tune in to RRI.

Vlad Palcu, 28.08.2016, 14:00

Timm Breyel, Malaysia

“I very much enjoyed todays program. I found todays program more informative and knowledgeable. Quality of the program was superb.

Debakamal Hazarika, India

“Technically, the broadcast was pretty good. I had no problems hearing most of the program details. During the last twenty minutes, noise slightly increased, but was not disruptive. I heard this particular broadcast in Ulan Bataar, the capital of Mongolia. However, over the course of the five previous days, I listened every morning while traveling through eastern Mongolia and the broadcast quality was consistently excellent. So it seems that in Mongolia you come in loud and clear. At the moment, I really cant add anything new to what Ive said before. Excellent and interesting programming, no real complaints. Of course, I personally prefer more business news and history, but understand Im just one of many regular listeners. Keep up the good work and Ill keep on listening.

John Rutledge, China

“News mentioned Romanias gold medal in the Olympics, congratulations! A question to win CDs was mentioned, I want to do this. The future Starts Today discussed terrorism, DAESH and their organizing attacks in Europe, interesting discussion. Roots mentioned the Feast Day of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary and Romanians fasting. I love to hear these cultural facts and traditions. Beautiful classical violinist music played. Living Romania discussed Peter Hurley who works in advertising and organizes festivals. Through the Looking Glass described a village in the South Carpathians with a forest road, butterflies and the Yellowstone of Europe. Sounds like a lovely place! The show had informative news and commentary and educational cultural segments. The music was beautiful. RRI has great programming. Thanks for the show and your support of shortwave!

Richard Nowak, USA

“It’s time for the reception reports on R.R.I.’s English broadcasts in July and August. The report for July is on the transmission on the 31st of the month at 20.30 U.T.C. on 6170 kHz. Reception was good with SINPO of 55444. The main news items included the consequences of corruption allegations concerning the National Bank; N.A.T.O. exercises in Romania; Romanian opinions on what are the major problems facing the E.U.; the continuation of the U.K.’s strategic partnership with Romania; and the Pope’s message on World Youth Day in Krakow. There was information on the latest R.R.I. listeners’ contest then the Cooking Show concentrated on picnics and barbecues. After a song there was Inside Romania which was about a play day for parents and children then Visit Romania was all about Covasna county in the center of the country. The report for August concerns the transmission on the 8th of the month, again at 20.30 U.T.C. and still on 6170 kHz. Reception conditions had changed little and SINPO was again 54444. The main news stories this time concerned Queen Anne’s funeral which her husband was too ill to attend; a reduction in the rate of inflation; regulations on absent voting for Romanians abroad; a film festival; and the Olympic games in Brazil. There was a commentary on additional overtime payments to doctors then information on the listeners’ contest was again given. The History Show was about archery both in battle and for hunting then there was a song followed by Think Green which was about saving forests from illegal logging. I hope these reports will get me two more of your wonderful QSL cards and I also hope you will excuse the brevity of this message. The weather is great (for once!), the football season has started and I’ve a million things to do…one of which is, as always, finding time to listen to R.R.I.

Martin Rogan, Scotland