Initially published in www.romania-report.ro (Dec 2, 2005)
This year festivities of Romania’s National Day were intended to mark an change in attitude – less stiffness and a more popular celebration, including the turning-on of Christmas lights.
Yesterday, at the Triumphal Arch military parade in Bucharest, President Traian Basescu took his time and spent an hour with the people gathered for the National Day celebration at the.
He talked with the crowd and gave autographs after making his speech. Former presidents Ion Iliescu and Emil Constantinescu participated in the ceremony, but they did not catch the crowd's attention as Basescu did.
Yesterday Basescu also promoted the commanders of the Navy and of the Gendarmerie, saying "the rank of general should be placed where it belongs." The president praised the army staff for their "extraordinary sacrifice."
"The effort, love for the country, and sacrifice of each soldier were the pillars on which the politicians were able to achieve the Great National Union (back in 1918) together with the people," Basescu said.
Later in the evening, President Traian Basescu and the Bucharest's mayor switched on the Christmas lights, giving Romanians the most beautiful present possible on their National Day.
First a buzz, then 30 seconds of total silence and incredible darkness. And then a fantastic burst of million lights, accompanied by the cheers of the thousands gathered last night in downtown Bucharest to witness a green, red, and orange miracle.
By a simple push of the button, Bucharest Mayor Adriean Videanu switched on the Christmas lights, offering Romanians the most beautiful present they could have received on their National Day.
The city's main avenue, Magheru Boulevard, and some other streets near the city center were too narrow for the incredible crowd, eager to feel the touch of the Christmas spirit on the same day Romania celebrated 87 years of unity.
Despite the heavy rain and piercing cold, mothers brought their children to feel the joy of lights and sing the national anthem alongside the Army' Chorus, and the Military Fanfare. The lights show was preceded by an infantry parade and even if people were not allowed to get too close to the marching soldiers, several children managed to trick the vigilant gendarmes, sneaked thorough the crowd to join the soldiers. The prank amused the people watching, and even the gendarmes who, after catching the naughty boys, gave them two huge red-yellow-blue balloons. But the crowd simply became frantic when President Traian Basescu appeared on the stage located in the front of the National Theater.
The president congratulated Romanians on their national day, saying that they have to be proud of themselves. "We are a strong, dignified nation," said Basescu, addressing the crowds gathered in the University Square last evening. "We are as good and as smart as any other nation," he continued, adding that Romanians shouldn't doubt this. "Happy birthday, Romania! I love you Romanians," were the last words the presidents said before the people started cheering and applauding him.
Romania Report & sources
This year festivities of Romania’s National Day were intended to mark an change in attitude – less stiffness and a more popular celebration, including the turning-on of Christmas lights.
Yesterday, at the Triumphal Arch military parade in Bucharest, President Traian Basescu took his time and spent an hour with the people gathered for the National Day celebration at the.
He talked with the crowd and gave autographs after making his speech. Former presidents Ion Iliescu and Emil Constantinescu participated in the ceremony, but they did not catch the crowd's attention as Basescu did.
Yesterday Basescu also promoted the commanders of the Navy and of the Gendarmerie, saying "the rank of general should be placed where it belongs." The president praised the army staff for their "extraordinary sacrifice."
"The effort, love for the country, and sacrifice of each soldier were the pillars on which the politicians were able to achieve the Great National Union (back in 1918) together with the people," Basescu said.
Later in the evening, President Traian Basescu and the Bucharest's mayor switched on the Christmas lights, giving Romanians the most beautiful present possible on their National Day.
First a buzz, then 30 seconds of total silence and incredible darkness. And then a fantastic burst of million lights, accompanied by the cheers of the thousands gathered last night in downtown Bucharest to witness a green, red, and orange miracle.
By a simple push of the button, Bucharest Mayor Adriean Videanu switched on the Christmas lights, offering Romanians the most beautiful present they could have received on their National Day.
The city's main avenue, Magheru Boulevard, and some other streets near the city center were too narrow for the incredible crowd, eager to feel the touch of the Christmas spirit on the same day Romania celebrated 87 years of unity.
Despite the heavy rain and piercing cold, mothers brought their children to feel the joy of lights and sing the national anthem alongside the Army' Chorus, and the Military Fanfare. The lights show was preceded by an infantry parade and even if people were not allowed to get too close to the marching soldiers, several children managed to trick the vigilant gendarmes, sneaked thorough the crowd to join the soldiers. The prank amused the people watching, and even the gendarmes who, after catching the naughty boys, gave them two huge red-yellow-blue balloons. But the crowd simply became frantic when President Traian Basescu appeared on the stage located in the front of the National Theater.
The president congratulated Romanians on their national day, saying that they have to be proud of themselves. "We are a strong, dignified nation," said Basescu, addressing the crowds gathered in the University Square last evening. "We are as good and as smart as any other nation," he continued, adding that Romanians shouldn't doubt this. "Happy birthday, Romania! I love you Romanians," were the last words the presidents said before the people started cheering and applauding him.
Romania Report & sources
No comments:
Post a Comment