Monday, March 20th

International Francophonie Day in Romania

French-speaking countries around the world are celebrating the International Francophonie Day on March 20. The date celebrates the signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger on March 20, 1970. The convention established the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, the current Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Romania joined OIF as an observer in 1991 to become a member two years later, in 1993. The UN is also celebrating the French Language Day, observed annually on March 20. The event was established by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2010 in its efforts „to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of its official working languages throughout the organisation”.

Romanian government’s support in Parliament not to be affected by ALDE disputes, PSD leader says

Differences in the governing Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) are not supposed to affect Romanian government’s support in Parliament, Liviu Dragnea, House Speaker and leader of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD), said on Monday. In case Daniel Constantin decides to quit, it is only a personal decision, Mr. Dragnea pointed out. Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Constantin, who is also an environment minister and ALDE vicepresident, said he would meet Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu for talks on the issue on Monday. However, Mr. Constantin told reporters he was not supposed to leave ALDE.

SRR’s Romania Cultural awards ceremony

Romanian Radio’s Romania Cultural channel organises the 18th edition of its annual awards ceremony at the Odeon Theatre in the capital Bucharest on Monday. Special awards will go to stage actor Ion Caramitru, the head of the Ion Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest, pianist Alexandra Dariescu, and Ada Solomon, who is the first Romanian producer in the country’s film history nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category („Tony Erdmann”). Ada Solomon, a member of the European Film Academy, also produced „Aferim!”, directed by Radu Jude, winner the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Ms. Solomon also produced Cătălin Peter Netzer’s „Child’s Pose”, a Golden Bear recipientient.
Alexandru Danga