On Sunday, January 15, Romania’s National Culture Day, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca paid tribute to „Romanian creators of all time”, according to Agerpres.

„Allow me to pay tribute to the memory of Romanian creators of all time, congratulate our contemporary artists, and wish success to the young talents. I am glad that we can continue to consider ourselves a cultural people. Since January 15 is a day of celebration not only for those who live in Romania, regardless of nationality or origins, but also for the citizens of the world who love Romanian culture, allow me to extend warm greetings to all, dear friends.”

Ciuca said that in homage to the great poet Mihai Eminescu, Romania has dedicated his birthday, January 15, to the celebration of its national culture.

„The popular artistic genius is the one towards which my thoughts are directed today, above all, because the Romanian soul has been treasured in the popular culture, in all its complexity and in all the nuances of its individuality, throughout all the centuries that preceded modernity. Popular creation is what defined the Romanian being in history; it is not so much a duty as a privilege to perpetuate its memory, to highlight it in the country and elsewhere in the world, to refresh our spirit at its sources.”

Ciuca also voiced appreciation for those who contributed to the birth of the Romanian cultural creation, from historiographers, chroniclers, translators of church books, figure of the Enlightenment to the adventurous romantics of the 1848 period.

„I think I am speaking on behalf of many when saying that we are proud of those who have given Romanian culture a voice in the world through literature, music, sculpture, creators who enjoy collective appreciation in Romania and wide recognition everywhere else. In the great European family, we are together a space of diversity (…) Romanian artists from all generations and from several spheres of creation have distinguished themselves internationally, enjoying success; they have sympathisers and projects, they attract young people to the cultural area. I want to believe that this was due, to a certain extent, to our country’s membership of powerful international organisations, which opened the borders, drawing attention to national values and generating funding opportunities for cultural projects.”

Ciuca encouraged young people „who feel they have something to say in arts” to fight for their way, because nowadays success is no longer just a matter of chance, there are numerous opportunities for affirmation offered by the Romanian state, the European Union, foundations and local or foreign non-governmental organisations.

„Last but not least, I am glad that, although the explosion of internet communication has affected the time we can dedicate to spiritual recharge, culture lovers in Romania continue to be numerous,” Ciuca concluded.

Agerpres