Romanians at home and abroad last weekend took part in manifestations marking 167 years since the birth of Romania\u2019s national poet, Mihai Eminescu, whose works became a landmark of Romanian and universal culture. Declared the National Culture Day in 2010, January 15 this year was also marked in religious celebrations devoted to Romania\u2019s great poet, in a gala of young writers, in concerts and exhibitions. In Rome, Mihai Eminescu\u2019s poems were recited or sung by both children and adults. Our Rome correspondent talked to school teacher Valentina Popa.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI believe that, wherever we may be, even if we try to integrate into society, we should never renounce our national identity. And our national identity means first and foremost paying heed to our cultural values<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n
At the Radio Concert Hall in Bucharest, the National Culture Day was celebrated as part of a concert organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute, devoted not only to the birth of Mihai Eminescu, but also to the birth of the great Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti.<\/p>\n
Here is the director of the Romanian Cultural Institute, Radu Boroianu: \u201cThe untimely death of both Eminescu and Lipatti, their high level of professional achievement and the legacy of their genius have inked their names in the Romanian hall of fame, next to iconic figures of Romanian politics, literature and art. (Constantin Brancoveanu, Dimitrie Cantemir, Spataru Milescu, Nicolae Iorga, Constantin Brancusi, Henri Coanda, Gogu Constantinescu, George Enescu, Ioan Luca Caragiale, Lucian Blaga, Anghel Saligny, Ioan Andreescu, Ion Tuculescu, Grigore Moisil, Solomon Marcus, Victor Babes, Ion Cantacuzino, Constantin Noica, Stefan Lupascu or Matilda Ghyka). To preserve their memory, I hereby announce the first major European project of the Romanian Cultural Institute — \u2018Latin — the First European Institution\u2019<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the people who contributed in making January 15th the National Culture Day, Eugen Simion also referred to the importance of this event: \u201cToday we are celebrating the birth of our poet, Eminescu. A few years ago, following up on the initiative of our Romanian Academy, Parliament voted to celebrate National Culture Day on January 15. It is a most opportune moment bringing together all Romanians who feel that culture is and will remain a fundamental universal value<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n
In turn, President Klaus Iohannis posted the following message on a social networking site: \u201cI felt honoured every time I had the chance of bestowing distinctions, on behalf of all Romanians, to those who have devoted a lifetime to culture\u201d. As a sign of friendship, the Embassies of Great Britain and France in Bucharest have also posted videos marking Romania\u2019s National Culture Day.<\/p>\n
(Translated by Vlad Palcu) <\/p>\n
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