May 18, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 18.05.2024, 17:00

PENTECOST. On Saturday, pilgrims from all over the world gathered in Sumuleu Ciuc, in central Romania, to attend the impressive Catholic Pentecost procession devoted to the Virgin Mary and prayed together for peace. The procession at Şumuleu Ciuc is considered the largest of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe and has at its center the miracle-working statue of the Virgin Mary, located in the Franciscan church. This well-known sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary was visited, in 2019, by Pope Francis, who officiated a service right from the altar where the Pentecost service is held. The Ministry of the Interior provided additional staff ensure the safe movement of pilgrims. Police have also taken care of maintaining the safety of railway traffic considering that, similar to previous years, the Hungarian railways provided two special train sets for the pilgrims coming mainly from Hungary. In the crossing points located on the border with Hungary, as well as at the airports of Timisoara (west), Târgu-Mureş (center), Cluj-Napoca (northwest), Sibiu (center) and Bacău (east), the necessary measures have been taken for streamlining passenger traffic.

FESTIVAL. The 14th International Shakespeare Festival continues until May 26 in Craiova, southern Romania. More than 300 world-class theater performances, concerts, parades, workshops, book launches, installation and VR trips will cover the entire city of Craiova and its surroundings, in conventional spaces, but also in the most original and unexpected places. Shakespeare Village – a British village from 1600, rebuilt from scratch, on the Craiova Hippodrome, will be the venue for dozens of concerts and shows. Famous names from the world of international theater and performance creators can be found in the festival program, including Robert Wilson, Peter Brook, Declan Donnellan, Robert Lepage, Philip Pârr, Jesus Herrera, Christian Friedel.

NEW CALEDONIA. Three Romanian citizens have contacted the Embassy of Romania in Canberra and the Consulate General of Romania in Paris to signal their presence in New Caledonia, the French overseas territory which is currently under a state of emergency following massive protests and serious violations of public order, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. The representatives of the Consulate General of Romania in Paris, whose consular constituency includes New Caledonia, have taken over the management of the situation and are permanently in touch with the three Romanian citizens, being prepared to provide assistance and consular protection, according to their competences. Also, the consular office cooperates with international partners to coordinate and provide support to the Romanian citizens, depending on the developments recorded at the local level.

MOLDOVA. The eighth meeting of the Republic of Moldova-European Union Association Council will take place next week in Brussels, on May 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, Josep Borell, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Dorin Recean, with the participation of the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi. The evolution of relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union will be discussed, through the lens of the implementation of the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as the progress of preparations for the formal opening of accession negotiations. Two important documents will be signed: the Moldova – EU Security and Defense Partnership and the Agreement regarding the participation of the Republic of Moldova in the Employment and Social Innovation Program, which will allow access to funds for the implementation of social policies.

HOSPITAL. The construction works at the Regional Emergency Hospital in Cluj, in northwestern Romania, were inaugurated on Saturday. The value of the project exceeds 700 million euros, and the completion period is three years. The medical unit will have over 800 beds, a heliport and 22 operating rooms. This hospital is very important for the entire medical system in Northern Transylvania, says the rector of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Cluj-Napoca, Anca Buzoianu. (mi)