The military parade organized in Bucharest in celebration of Romania’s National Day began on Thursday at the city’s landmark Triumphal Arch, which was inaugurated 86 years ago in the presence of King Carol II and Queen Maria, according to Agerpres.

The ceremony started with the national anthem being played by the military band of the Bucharest Garrison together with baritone Stefan Alexandru Constantin, a soloist of the „Doina” Artistic Ensemble of the Army and the choir of the „Ferdinand I” Military Technical Academy. Twenty-one cannon volleys were fired as the anthem was played.

President Klaus Iohannis laid a wreath in memory of the heroes who laid down their lives for the reunification of the Romanian nation. A moment of silence was observed in memory of the fallen.

Attending the parade are Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, acting Senate president Alina Gorghiu, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Marcel Ciolacu, members of the government, heads of institutions, representatives of the diplomatic corps and religious denominations, politicians, veterans.

The Representative Brass Band of the National Defense Ministry, the Military Brass Band of the „Mihai Viteazul” 30th Guard Brigade and the Military Brass Band of the 1st Mechanized Brigade „Argedava” ensure the musical backdrop for the event.

Military ceremonies are being held in the garrisons throughout the country in honor of the National Day, the national flag is flown in all military institutions, and the Great Flag is raised on board of seagoing and river ships.

Over 1,500 troops and specialists of the National Defense Ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications Service, the National Penitentiary Administration and the Romanian Customs Authority are marching the Bucharest parade this year, alongside 120 military vehicles.

Seated in the honorary stands are approximately 150 foreign servicemen from Belgian, French, North Macedonian, Moldovan, Portuguese, U.S. and Dutch detachments, as well as military personnel representing the allied countries contributing to the NATO structures on Romania’s territory.

The jet and helicopter fly-past segment of the parade had to be canceled due to unfavorable weather.

The military ceremony dedicated to Romania’s National Day will end in the evening with the parade of the „Mihai Viteazul” 30th Guard Brigade that will perform a torchlight retreat as of 19:00 hrs, from the esplanade of the National Military Circle Palace to the brigade headquarters.

Agerpres