Diplomatic Events

The Romanian embassy in Israel celebrated 75 years of Romanian independence, and a thriving bilateral relationship with Israel, with a gala concert in Jerusalem on Saturday night. The concert, part of the “Hallelujah” series, was titled “Romanian Passion, and featured the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, joined by two top musical talents from Romania: conductor Ionuț Pascu, and pan flutist Dalila Cernatescu.

Marton Salamon, the Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute, opened the evening, welcoming the audience, a full house in the Henry Crown hall of the Jerusalem Theatre, on this festive occasion. Mr. Salamon, speaking in fluent Hebrew, noted that the city of Timișoaram, where the Romanian revolution against Communism began in 1989, is set to become the “European capital of Tourism” in 2023.

Mr. Salamon explained that the concert was both a cultural celebration of Israeli-Romanian ties, as well as a part of the annual Hallelujah festival. He also explained the role of the pan flute, or nai, in the Romanian musical tradition, with Cernatescu being one of the most talented pan flute players in Romania.

H.E. Dr. Radu Ioanid, Ambassador of Romania in the State of Israel, quoted Eli Wiesel “Without memory, there is no culture, no civilization, no society and no future.” The ambassador noted that despite difficult periods in history, especially the Holocaust, Romania and Israel have enjoyed 75 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations, since 1948. The ambassador welcomed the participation and attendance of maestro László Roth, himself a Holocaust survivor from Romania, whose piece “Mountain Echoes” was performed as part of the concert.

Dani Dayan, the chairman of Yad Vashem, spoke as well. Mr. Dayan, referring to Ambassador Ioanid as “the best diplomat among the Holocaust historians and the best Holocaust historian among the diplomats”, congratulated the ambassador and the embassy on their willingness to engage with the full complexities of history, including the dark years of the Holocaust.

Following the speeches, the musicians were invited to the stage, and a magical concert began. The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ionuț Pascu, performed over a dozen pieces by Romanian composers, including by the aforementioned centenarian maestro László Roth, with a storied musical career and sitting in the audience, and featuring unique adaptations made for Cernatescu’s inimical pan flute, as well as a pan flute improvisation solo. 

Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the Embassy of Romania and the Romanian Cultural Institute  on the 75 year celebration, and offers best wishes for many more years of prosperous bilateral relations.

Photos and Videos courtesy of Mrs. Tony Duchev & Steven Aiello