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issue 3, year XVI, 2009 |
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CRISTIAN DIACONESCU, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ROMANIA, SPECIALLY FOR EUROPE 2001 MAGAZINE: ROMANIA HAS PROVED ITS HUGE INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
Interview by Valentin Kostov
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H. E. MIHAIL ROSIANU, AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO BULGARIA, SPECIALLY FOR EUROPE 2001 MAGAZINE: I LEAVE BULGARIA WITH THE FEELING THAT
I HAVE DONE MY DUTY
Interview by Valentin Kostov
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ROMANIA: A VISITING CARD
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BULGARIA AND ROMANIA: ASCENDING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
By Dr. Georgi G. Panayotov, Head of Department "Neighbouring countries" in "Europe I" Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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In 2009 the 130th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian-Romanian diplomatic relations is celebrated. Today's bilateral relations between the two countries are based on the solid foundation of a long-lasting friendship. There are three main factors that influence on the bilateral diplomatic relations. First, the two countries have common historical and geopolitical destiny. The historical vicissitudes in a restless region, such as Southeastern Europe, have always set the two countries on the same side of the barricades. Secondly, the two countries have in common in their cultural and religious identity. They are Orthodox Christians and have constructed their cultural values in similar conditions. Thirdly, in the new millennium the two countries build up their bilateral relations on the basis of their EU and NATO partnership.
ROMANIA AND EU - AFTER THE ACCESSION
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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On January 1st 2009 Romania, together with Bulgaria, marked two years of EU membership. Two years of work and reforms. Two years of changes, not only political and economical, but especially in the life of their citizens. Romania became more aware of its potential and had the opportunity to prove that it is a reliable and committed partner.
As a full fledged EU Member State, Romania takes part in the day to day decision making process of the EU, presenting its ideas and projects for the development of the Union. As an advocate of advanced European integration and cooperation, Romania has been able to contribute to the drafting and implementing of EU policies, in areas of great importance, such as energy security, social inclusion, or institutional reform, having a constantly open and constructive approach, and working to ensure EU consensus around major European decisions.
ROMANIA: A STABLE PARTNER
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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Since January 1st 2009 Romania has been a Member State of the European Union and has accepted all the economic, financial and trade obligations that result from the membership.
In economic and trade aspect Romania is one of the biggest markets in Central and Eastern Europe (the country takes the 7th place with a population of 21 million people). At the same time Romania has an attractive location because it is situated at the crossroads of the European Union, the Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
ROMANIA AND THE LIBERATION OF BULGARIA
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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It is well known how much Romanians helped the Bulgarian revolutionaries during their fight for freedom. This help reached its culmination with the participation of the Romanian army in the 1877-1878 war, when Bulgaria gained its freedom and Romania gained its independence.
When Russia decided to attack the Ottoman Empire, it realized Romania's strategic position and offered it to take part in the war. On the other hand, Romania was itself interested in participating in the imminent war because it was a chance for it to put an end of its vassalage of the Ottoman Empire.
ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH 'HOLY TRINITY' IN SOFIA
By father Nelut Opria and Toma Kiurkchiev, chairman of UNIREA/UNITY Society
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The Romanian Orthodox church 'Holy Trinity' is remarkable for its impressive architecture, original structure and masterful interior frescoes. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches that have been built outside the Romanian frontiers. For more than a century the church has been a Christian religious and cultural centre for the Romanians living in Bulgaria.
ROMANIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL "MIHAI EMINESCU" IN SOFIA
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On the basis of a bilateral agreement between Bulgaria and Romania in 1999 Secondary School "Mihai Eminescu" was established in Sofia. The school offers intensified studying of Romanian. Its students can apply for Romanian universities without any entrance examinations. The school has a good team of teachers, a computer study but, of course, has a set of problems, too. The building, which houses the school, is highly inappropriate and there is no dormitory, which would make possible tuition of students from outside Sofia.
BULGARIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL "HRISTO BOTEV" IN BUCHAREST
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On the basis of the same bilateral agreement in 1998 Secondary School "Hristo Botev" was established in Bucharest. Bulgarian is an obligatory subject in the curriculum. In 2005 the new repaired and refitted building of the school was opened. In addition to studying, students are engaged in a wide range of out-of-class activities, such as a dance group, a football and a basketball team, a theatre group. The students of the school have the opportunity to receive a grant for further studying in Bulgaria.
BAS AND THE ROMANIAN ACADEMY
By Acad. Nikola Sabotinov, Chairman of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
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SOFIA UNIVERSITY "ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI" AND THE ROMANIAN UNIVERSITIES
By Rumen Grigorov, Head of Department of International Relations
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THE (UN)KNOWN ROMANIAN LITERATURE
By Vanina Bozhikova
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Although almost 20 years have passed since the abolishment of the communist regime in Romania, the contemporary Romanian literature does not have specific, clearly defined characteristics and wobbles between East and West.
Mircea Cartarescu has been acknowledged as the most talented poet, novelist, essayist and literary critic of his generation. His works are translated into 10 languages. Cartarescu has been awarded many Romanian and international literature prizes.
Cezar Paul-Badescu is another eminent representative of contemporary Romanian literature. Besides writing his literary works, he is the editor of the biggest weekly newspaper for culture "Dilema Veche" and editor-in-chief of the weekly supplement "Media & Cultura" of "Cotidianul" newspaper.
Nora Iuga is the author of 12 volumes of poetry and 5 novels. She does not belong to neither of the literary generations. She is a representative of avantgardism, post-modernism, surrealism and onirism at the same time, reaching beyond any frameworks and cliches.
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE ROMANIAN LANDS
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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Romania is a country with enormous tourist potential. With its various relief, with the bizarre mixture of plains, mountains and hills, with its beautiful landscapes, numerous rivers and lakes, and mild climate Romania is a close, neighbour country but remains unexplored as a tourist destination by Bulgarians.
BALCHIK IN ROMANIAN ART
By Doina Pauleanu, director of the Constanta Art Gallery
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It turns out that all Romanian painters in the period between the two world wars were seduced by the irresistible attractiveness of the Bulgarian seaside town Balchik. The Romanian painter Alexandru Satmari was a great traveler and the first to discover Balchik. Balchik was the place where Queen Maria built her palace. The palace is actually the center of a large mansion, spreading from the seacoast to the top of the hill.
BUCHAREST
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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According to archaeological excavations found near Bucharest the capital of Romania was founded around 15 thousand years ago. At first the center of the city was on the left bank of the River Dambovita, where the first fortresses, the palace and the Old Palace Church were built. These architectural sites can still be visited today.
The capital has numerous cultural sites and tourist attractions. The sightseeing of the capital is made easier by the division of the sites into two tourist 'lines' - North-South and East-West, which cross in the center of Bucharest.
SIBIU: A EUROPEAN CULTURAL CAPITAL
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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The rich history and intense cultural life in Sibiu are the reason why it was chosen for a European cultural capital for 2007. For a period of twelve months over 2000 cultural events took place in the city, including theatre, music, painting, movies, dances, literature, architecture, etc. Today Sibiu is a multicultural and multilingual city.
WOODEN CHURCHES AND CENTURIES-OLD MONASTERIES
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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The wooden orthodox churches are spread all over Romania, in the mountains, as well as in the beautiful green plains. This typical form of Romanian architecture uses the basis of the orthodox temple. The roof is usually made of wood but straw is sometimes used, too.
There are a lot of monasteries over the Romanian lands and many of them are more than 500 years old. They are a testimony of the religious faith, preserved through the centuries. Among the biggest monasteries in Romania are the Putna Monastery, the Voronet Monastery, the Moldovita Monastery, the Monastery of Horezu and many, many others.
THEATRE STAGE
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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Theatre activity in Romania may be traced back to the first half of the XIX century. In 1834 the writers Ion Heliade Radulescu and Ion Campineanu gave the idea for the establishment of a Philharmonic Society. Two years later the society bought an inn and built on its place the edifice of the national theatre. In 1840 the project of the Viennese architect Heft was ratified by the prince and in 1852 the Great (National) Theatre in Bucharest was opened. Today, there are dozens of modern theatres all around the country.
GENERATION: LOST AND FOUND
By Maria Angelova
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The new generation of young Romanian film directors and their productions win prizes in international film festivals from Can to Berlin and Sofia every year. Metaphorically they can be called like the name of the film 'Generation: Lost and Found', which incorporates six shorts and tells the story of the post-communism generation and its problems.
MUSIC FROM ROMANIA
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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Classical music composing in Romania dates back to the end of ХVІІ century. Pop music appeared in 1860-1870 out of musicals, waltzes, romances and violinist's songs inspired by the Austro-Hungarian composers of that time.
The National Opera in Bucharest is one of the biggest operas in Romania, where some of the greatest world-famous opera singers have sung. Being a country with rich cultural and artistic life, Romania has many other opera halls in the big cities.
Romania houses many international festivals for pop music, jazz, guitar and many others organized every year.
ROMANIAN CUISINE
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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Romanian cuisine is highly varied and includes specific national meals, as well as meals borrowed from cultures Romanians have been in contact with through the centuries. The greatest impact on Romanian cuisine has been caused by the traditions of the neighbour countries - Serbian, Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish, and Hungarian. Romanian recipes and meals are easy to prepare. The Romanian typical pastry called 'placinta' is part of the Roman cultural heritage. One of the most popular Romanian meals is called 'mamaliga' or 'kachamak'. It is made of maize meal and is usually consumed with cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, cream or eggs. This meal has long been considered a meal for the poor, but today has turned into a real delicacy.
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, CRAFTS
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
Page 48
Christmas and New Year are traditional holidays for every Romanian family. 'Dragobete' is a typical Romanian holiday dedicated to youth and love, similar to the Catholic St. Valentine's Day.
Pottery-making, wood-carving, weaving are among the widespread Romanian crafts. Various colourful masks and dummies are inseparable part of the Romanian folklore during folk feasts, fertility rituals, hunting, etc.
One of the most spectacular and favourite folk dances of Romanians is called 'kalus'. 'Kalus' can be found in particular regions of the country, especially in Southern Romania. It is danced at the beginning of June on the occasion of the Rusalin holiday, the most important holiday save for Christmas and Easter.
OINA AND OLYMPIC SPIRIT
By the Culture and Press Department of the Embassy of Romania
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Romania has solid traditions in sports - the first sports societies appeared more than century and a half ago. Today the best Romanian sportsmen and women play football, gymnastics, tennis, handball, rowing and track-and-field athletics.
FAMOUS PERSONALITIES FROM ROMANIA
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DIMITRIE CANTEMIR
NICOLAE IORGA
TRAIAN VUIA
HENRI COANDA
ANA ASLAN
MIRCEA ELIADE
EMIL CIORAN
GEORGE EMIL PALADE
PHOTOATELIER PRESENTS
TEODOR RADU PANTEA
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LITART PRESENTS
EUGEN IONESCO
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NIKITA STANESCU
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ATELIER PRESENTS
SILVIYA CHANEVA: PLASTIC ENERGY AND POWER
By Dochka Kisyova-Gogova
Page 66
A CHARMING AND LIFTING-UP DIALOG: ABOUT RADA GEORGIEVA'S JUBILEE EXHIBITION
By Ognyan Stamboliev
Page 68
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Translated by
Maria Angelova |
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