Culture Minister Raluca Turcan on Thursday sent a message on the Independence Day of the United States of America, in which she welcomed that this year this anniversary is being celebrated under the theme of cinema, appreciating that the national film industry is a perfect solution for cultural diplomacy and a driving force for tourism and economic promotion.

„This year, the anniversary of the Independence Day of the United States of America is being celebrated under the theme of cinema – „Let’s go to the movies!” This theme is a proof of the extraordinary receptiveness of the United States to an industry that generates prosperity (…) Many happy returns to our American friends and allies!,” said Raluca Turcan.

The Culture minister voiced her satisfaction with the unblocking of the state aid scheme for the film industry.

„I am glad that, as minister of Culture, I succeeded in unblocking the state aid scheme, which is now in full swing and which will bring considerable foreign investment in film production in Romania, mostly from the United States of America. Romania’s film industry is not only a perfect solution for cultural diplomacy, but also a real engine for tourism promotion and economic development of Romania,” added Raluca Turcan.

The theme of this year’s U.S. Independence Day reception was „Let’s got to the movies!” to celebrate Romanian-American cooperation in cinema.

Before the 1989 Revolution, for many Romanians, American movies were a rare and precious window to the outside world. They were a source of inspiration, offering hope and a connection to the broader human experience beyond Romania’s borders, said U.S. Ambassador in Bucharest Kathleen A. Kavalec on Wednesday evening.

The American diplomat stressed the importance of financial facilities for the film industry.

We welcome the Romanian government’s recent decision to re-establish an incentive scheme for filmmaking, which we hope will attract more American film productions to Romania, said the American diplomat.

AGERPRES