The piercing sound of the Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra, punctuated by the pan flute performed by Dalila Cernatescu, brought Romanian National Culture Day to life in a gala concert held in Jerusalem on Saturday night January 20.
Martin Salamon, the Director of the Romanian Cultural Center, welcomed guests to the Henry Crown Hall at the Jerusalem Theater. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, Mr. Salamon quoted the saying “When guns roar, the muses are silent” and flipping it on its head, noting that the sounds of the concert give voice to the idea that only art and culture can cover the sounds of guns and violence.
Noting the challenge of promoting soft power with so much ongoing warfare in the region and around the world, Mr. Salamon emphasized that we must continue to believe in peace, diplomacy and cultural relations, and maintain hope. This is the message of the concert he said: “to never give up hope.”
H.E. Dr. Radu Ioanid, Ambassador of Romania spoke next, expressed Romania’s full solidarity with the people of Israel, and noted that the Romanian Prime Minister was the first leader to visit Israel following the October 7th atrocities. Ambassador Ioanid explained that Romania as well was dealing with hostages of Romanian heritage and citizenship and was dedicated to bringing all the hostages home safely.
Following these opening remarks, guests were treated to a unique collaboration of the world class Jerusalem Symphonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Ionut Pascu. The concert featured pan flute virtuoso Dalila Cernatescu, and composer Florin Raducanu, who performed on piano as well as Oren Hardy on the double bass and Yonathan Rosen on the drums. The musicians astounded the audience with a diverse range including Romanian Doina, Klezmer, Sephardic Jazz sketches, and even a pan flute improvisation.
Diplomacy.co.il and www.debateforpeace.org congratulates the Embassy of Romania, the Romanian Cultural Center, and the people of Romania on Romanian Culture Day.
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