Romania’s National Flag Day
Romania is celebrating its National Flag Day on June 26. A public ceremony is organised in the Tricolour Plaza near the Military Circus in the capital Bucharest. Troops of the Invictus Romania group will attend a 24-hour marathon around the National University of Defence wishing to pay a special tribute to the country’s heroes The marathon is part of a campaign expected to end on July 29. The Fanfare of the Michael the Brave Guard Battalion 30 will perform in the King Charles (Carol) Park later in the day while other Romanian troops are expected to take to the streets in a parade starting in the University Plaza on a route including Queen Elisabeth Boulevard – Opera Plaza – National University of Defence – Cotroceni Presidential Palace to the headquarters of the Michael the Brave Guard Batallion 30. The country’s Constitution provides that „the flag of Romania is tricolour; the colours are arranged vertically in the following order from the flagpole: blue, yellow, red”. The colours were found on late 16th century royal grants of Michael the Brave. And it was during the Wallachian uprising in 1821 when for the first time a meaning was attributed to them: Liberty (sky-blue), Justice (field-yellow), Fraternity (blood-red).
June 26: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26 since 1988. In the Romanian capital Bucharest the day will be marked in the Youth Park on Friday at 9-12 AM. Participants will include representatives and activists of the country’s National Anti-Drug Agency. The National Anti-Drug Agency was established in 2003 with a role based on a national strategy against drug abuse and traffic. This year’s campaign is organised with the message „Live Your Life without Drugs”.
End of a hunger strike
Seven former employees of the Oltchim chemical company in the Romanian town of Râmnicu Vâlcea decided to end the hunger strike they started five days ago. The former employees claimed for the compensations they were promised two years ago when they were fired. According to law, protesters were supposed to get 18 compensatory wages. Oltchim managers claimed they were unable to pay as they were out of funds. In case they had the money, the workers would receive as much as RON 1,000/month each, a proposal rejected by protesters who threatened to ask ONG’s for support.
More than 80 raids in Bucharest and Ilfov and Constantza counties
Police and prosecutors with Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) are conducting more than 80 raids and searches in the capital Bucharest and the southern counties of Ilfov and Constantza on Friday. The anti-corruption watchdog alleges that 19 companies and more than 60 suspects were involved in corruption-related crimes such as tax evasion and money laundring with damages of around RON 130 million. Sources say the people involved are suspected of illegal trade involving textiles from China and Turkey. 64 people are expected to be brought to justice.
Alexandru Danga – RADOR
