Alianta - Strengthening the Romanian American Alliance

Alianta Gala 2023
2023-11-29 18:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | The Willard Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, United States
The 2023 Alianța Gala will take place on Wednesday, November 29th at the Willard Hotel in Washington (DC).
Stay tuned for program updates. Tickets and sponsorship packages available at the link.

Conversation with Ambassador Marek Magierowski, Representative of the Republic of Poland to the United States
2023-10-27 11:00 - 12:00
Join us and Mr. Marek Magierowski, Ambassador of Poland to the United States of America on October 27 at 11am EST for a Conversation on Poland’s front-line European role in the war in Ukraine and contemplating a road map ahead in light of US domestic politics. Hosted by Alianta and media executive John Florescu.

Alianta Conversation with Ambassador Michael McFaul
2023-07-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Online, Digital
Join us on July 13 at 12 PM EST for an another engaging event where John Florescu will be interviewing Ambassador (Ret.) Michael McFaul.
Michael McFaul, an accomplished academic, diplomat, and an expert on Russia, began his career in academia, where he served as a Professor of Political Science at Stanford University and was the director of the university’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law​.In 2009, McFaul joined the Obama administration as a senior adviser, where he was instrumental in shaping the “Russian reset” policy, which aimed to improve U.S.-Russia relations​. His expertise was further recognized in 2011, when President Obama nominated him as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, making him the first non-career diplomat to hold this position.

Live Conversation with Sebastian Burduja, Romania's Minister of Energy
2023-07-06 11:00 - 12:00
NEW DATE/TIME ANNOUNCED!

Alianta cordially invites you to an exclusive live conversation on YouTube with Sebastian Burduja, Romania’s Minister of Energy. This insightful event will be hosted by our very own media executive and Alianta board member, John Florescu.
Join us on July 6 at 11 am EST as we broadcast this event live on our YouTube & Facebook channels. This is your chance to engage with leading figures in US-Romanian relations, from the comfort of your home.
While watching the livestream, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions via the YouTube comments, allowing you to be part of the discussion in real-time.
RSVP at the link

A Conversation with Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec
2023-05-30 09:30 - 10:30 | Online, Digital
Kathleen Kavalec was sworn in as Ambassador to Romania on December 20, 2022. Previously, Ambassador Kavalec served as the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2019-2022. Prior to that, she was Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) at the Department of State.
A career U.S. diplomat, Ambassador Kavalec has held a variety of diplomatic assignments, including Director for Russian Affairs, Deputy Permanent Delegate and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the UNESCO in Paris, Deputy Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia, and Director of Conflict Prevention in the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization. Her overseas assignments have included service as the Political Counselor in Ukraine, two tours in Russia covering political issues, as well as tours in Romania and Brazil. In Romania, she served as Cultural Attache between 2005 and 2008. She is the recipient of numerous State Department awards, as well as a Presidential Rank Award.

Alianta's 8th Annual Gala
2022-11-30 13:00 - 17:00 | The Willard Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, United States
Alianta, the American-Romanian alliance, has the pleasure to invite you to join other business, government, and cultural leaders to the 8th annual Gala & Summit on Thursday, November 30, 2022 & Friday December 1, 2022 in Washington D.C.
Alianta continues its tradition of promoting achievements of individuals and organizations that strengthen the American-Romanian partnership by bringing together the people that inspire positive change through their work, and bolster the strong relationship between America and Romania. This year we are shining a special spotlight on the county of Dolj.
During the Gala we are excited to be honoring former Presidents Bill Clinton and Emil Constantinescu, with a presentation by Ambassador Alfred H. Moses. We will be honoring NuScale as our business awardee, and will also be honoring Dr. Adrian Krainer, recipient of the Wolf Prize in Medicine.
A posthumous award will be going to Rep. Jackie Walorski, being presented by Rep. Victoria Spartz.
And, as in previous years, we’ll be having our Summit the next day with thought provoking round tables the following day for our select guests. The Roundtables will be an additional opportunity to network with leaders from across the spectrum, all of whom are interested in promoting stronger Romanian-American relations. Roundtables this year will focus on: Regional, Energy, and Food Security, as well as Alianta’s efforts towards the Visa Waiver program.
This year we are proud to be partnering with the Alex Fund, a US 501(c)(3), non-profit to support the ground-breaking work of Asociatia OvidiuRo, Romania’s foremost early education NGO.

A Conversation with DAS Robin L. Dunnigan
2022-09-21 08:00 - 08:30 | Online, Digital
The Alianta Conversations event series invites influential leaders in business, politics, academia and the non-profit sector to the table for engaging discussions on the most important topics facing Romania.
Now we are inviting you to join us for a very special conversation with DAS Robin L. Dunnigan who will discuss the U.S.-Romania bilateral relationship, with particular focus on Romania’s NATO contributions and close defense cooperation with the United States.
The conversation will also touch on Romania’s role in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the importance of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of European countries from Russian aggression. Recent developments in Russia’s war and their implications for Europe – particularly the use of filtration camps and Russia’s unlawful detention and transfer of civilians – will also be a part of the discussion.
The conversation will be livestreamed and we welcome your questions and comments online. Please follow, like and share our page to stay up-to-date with our latest events.

A Conversation with General Wesley K. Clark, (ret.)
2022-08-23 07:00 - 08:00 | Online, Digital
Join us for a very special conversation with General Wesley K. Clark, (ret.).
The conversation will be livestreamed and we welcome your questions and comments online. Please follow, like and share our page to stay up-to-date with our latest events!

Wesley K. Clark is a businessman, educator, writer and commentator who serves as Chairman and CEO of Wesley K. Clark & Associates, a strategic consulting firm.
Clark retired as a four star general after 38 years in the United States Army, having served in his last assignments as Commander of US Southern Command and then as Commander of US European Command/ Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. He graduated first in his class at West Point and completed degrees in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University (B.A. and M.A.) as a Rhodes scholar.
He worked with Ambassador Richard Holbrooke in the Dayton Peace Process, where he helped write and negotiate significant portions of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement. In his final assignment as Supreme Allied Commander Europe he led NATO forces to victory in Operation Allied Force, a 78-day air campaign, backed by ground invasion planning and a diplomatic process, saving 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing.
His awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five awards), Silver star, bronze star, and purple heart. In 2019, Clark founded Renew America Together, a nonprofit organization designed to promote and achieve greater common ground in America by reducing partisan division and gridlock.
RSVP here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/nM8BQex

A Conversation with General Philip M. Breedlove (Ret.) and Dr. Iulia-Sabina Joja Inbox
2022-07-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online, Digital
Join us for a conversation with General Philip M. Breedlove (Ret.) centered around the Ukrainian crisis and what challenges it poses on the energy situation in Europe.
The conversation will be livestreamed and we welcome your questions and comments online.

Romanian Weekend at The Wharf
2022-07-10 10:00 - 16:00 | The Wharf, 101 District Square SW, Washington, DC, 20024, United States
Discover Romania this weekend at the Wharf!

Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10, bring your family to a Romanian extravaganza at The Wharf. Music, dance, food, wine, spoken word performances, and craft shows will transport this beautiful country straight to DC.
District Pier will host FREE concerts with some of Romania’s most fascinating artists: the Techno Witches, a rap group, brilliantly repackaging Roma culture into a modern sound, with lyrics that touch on social justice, witchcraft, technology, feminism, love, and other themes; Corina Sîrghi & Taraful Jean Americanu – an all-acoustic ensemble of virtuoso musicians performing both traditional and popular urban folklore pieces; and Ana Everling Trio, an act fusing Eastern European music with Brazilian and Afro-influenced rhythms, courtesy of master guitarist Edinho Gerber and percussionist Luiz Everling.
Throughout the day, the Transylvania National Folk Ensemble will perform traditional dances, music and will exhibit traditional outfits and crafts in the nearby tents.
The main stage will also feature the DC-based, all-volunteer Carpathia Folk Dance ensemble. Spoken word performances by well-known Romanian-American authors Cristina A. Bejan, Domnica Radulescu, Elena Secota and Adela Sinclair will be interspersed throughout the program.
Throughout the weekend, you will also have the opportunity to visit activity tents: “Dancing at the Barn” for dance workshops, “The Potter’s House” for pottery demonstrations with master potter Daniel Les, “Our Story Carved in Wood” for wood carving demonstrations with sculptor Petrică Codrea and “Does Tradition Fit You”, an interactive folk costume exhibition where visitors can try the intricate traditional costumes themselves. Other fun activities include the “Romanian Literature in America” booth for book lovers; the “Gateway to Romanian traditions” booth to learn about ethno-tourism opportunities in Maramureș; the “Maramureș Photo Booth” for fun selfies; and last but not least, “The Taste of Romania” tent with a selection of Romanian food and wines to try and buy.
For full info and detailed schedule go to: https://bit.ly/3xYkW0w
Romanian Weekend at The Wharf Schedule
Sunday, July 10, 2:00 PM – 8:30 PM
2:00 PM – Welcome to the Romanian Weekend at THE WHARF
2:15 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
2:45 PM – Spoken word performances by Domnica Rădulescu and Adela Sinclair, presented by Bucharest Inside the Beltway
3:00 PM – Romanian traditional dances by Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble
3:45 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
4:15 PM – Spoken word performances by Cristina A. Bejan and Elena Secotă, presented by Bucharest Inside the Beltway
5:00 PM – Romanian traditional dances by Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble
5:25 PM – Romanian community moment dedicated to the Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse, organized by Romanians of DC
5:30 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
6:15 PM – Urban folklore concert by Corina Sîrghi & Taraful Jean Americanu (Shaun Williams aka Jean Americanu – accordion, Laurențiu Feraru – violin, Ciprian Răducanu – double bass), joined by special guest Nicolae Feraru, cimbalom virtuoso and NEA National Heritage Fellow
7:30 PM – Rap/trap concert by Tehno-Vrăjitoarele (Techno-Witches) Niko G. & Kali
IN THE TENTS:
Sunday, July 10, 2 PM – 6 PM
Dancing at the Barn. Join the round dance! – Dance workshops
The Potter’s House. Spin the potter’s wheel! – Pottery demonstrations with Daniel Leș
Our Story Carved in Wood – Wood carving demonstrations with Petrică Codrea
Folk Costumes. Does tradition fit you? – Folk costumes exhibition
Maramureș Photo Booth. Let time freeze and say cheese! – Photo opportunity
Visit Maramureș, Gateway to Romanian traditions! – Learn more about Romania & plan a visit
The Taste of Romania. Europe’s map in one bite! – A selection of Romanian foods
The Joy of Romanian Wines. Drinkable happiness! – A selection of gorgeous wines to try and buy
Romanian Literature in America – A showcase of recent books by Romanian-American authors & spoken word performances curated and managed by Bucharest inside the Beltway (BiB)

Romanian Weekend at The Wharf
2022-07-09 08:00 - 16:00 | The Wharf, 101 District Square SW, Washington, DC, 20024, United States
Discover Romania this weekend at the Wharf!

Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10, bring your family to a Romanian extravaganza at The Wharf. Music, dance, food, wine, spoken word performances, and craft shows will transport this beautiful country straight to DC.
District Pier will host FREE concerts with some of Romania’s most fascinating artists: the Techno Witches, a rap group, brilliantly repackaging Roma culture into a modern sound, with lyrics that touch on social justice, witchcraft, technology, feminism, love, and other themes; Corina Sîrghi & Taraful Jean Americanu – an all-acoustic ensemble of virtuoso musicians performing both traditional and popular urban folklore pieces; and Ana Everling Trio, an act fusing Eastern European music with Brazilian and Afro-influenced rhythms, courtesy of master guitarist Edinho Gerber and percussionist Luiz Everling.
Throughout the day, the Transylvania National Folk Ensemble will perform traditional dances, music and will exhibit traditional outfits and crafts in the nearby tents.
The main stage will also feature the DC-based, all-volunteer Carpathia Folk Dance ensemble. Spoken word performances by well-known Romanian-American authors Cristina A. Bejan, Domnica Radulescu, Elena Secota and Adela Sinclair will be interspersed throughout the program.
Throughout the weekend, you will also have the opportunity to visit activity tents: “Dancing at the Barn” for dance workshops, “The Potter’s House” for pottery demonstrations with master potter Daniel Les, “Our Story Carved in Wood” for wood carving demonstrations with sculptor Petrică Codrea and “Does Tradition Fit You”, an interactive folk costume exhibition where visitors can try the intricate traditional costumes themselves. Other fun activities include the “Romanian Literature in America” booth for book lovers; the “Gateway to Romanian traditions” booth to learn about ethno-tourism opportunities in Maramureș; the “Maramureș Photo Booth” for fun selfies; and last but not least, “The Taste of Romania” tent with a selection of Romanian food and wines to try and buy.
For full info and detailed schedule go to: https://bit.ly/3xYkW0w
Romanian Weekend at The Wharf Schedule
Saturday, July 9, 12 PM – 9 PM
12 PM – Welcome to the Romanian Weekend at THE WHARF
12:15 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
1:00 PM – Romanian traditional dances by Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble
1:45 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
2:15 PM – Spoken word performances by Domnica Rădulescu and Adela Sinclair, presented by Bucharest Inside the Beltway
3:00 PM – Concert by Ana Everling Trio (Chicago-based Moldovan vocal musician Ana Everling, joined by Luiz Everling on percussion and Brazilian master Edinho Gerber on guitar)
3:45 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
4:15 PM – Spoken word performances by Cristina A. Bejan and Elena Secotă, presented by Bucharest Inside the Beltway
4:30 PM – Romanian traditional dances by Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble
5:15 PM – Folk music and dances from Maramureș County by “Transylvania” Ensemble
6:00 PM – Concert by Ana Everling Trio (Chicago-based Moldovan vocal musician Ana Everling, joined by Luiz Everling on percussion and Brazilian master Edinho Gerber on guitar)
7:15 PM – Urban folklore concert by Corina Sîrghi & Taraful Jean Americanu (Shaun Williams aka Jean Americanu – accordion, Laurențiu Feraru – violin, Ciprian Răducanu – double bass), joined by special guest Nicolae Feraru, cimbalom virtuoso and NEA National Heritage Fellow
8:15 PM – Rap/trap concert by Tehno-Vrăjitoarele (Techno-Witches) Niko G. & Kali

IN THE TENTS:
Saturday, July 9, 12 PM – 6 PM
Dancing at the Barn. Join the round dance! – Dance workshops
The Potter’s House. Spin the potter’s wheel! – Pottery demonstrations with Daniel Leș
Our Story Carved in Wood – Wood carving demonstrations with Petrică Codrea
Folk Costumes. Does tradition fit you? – Folk costumes exhibition
Maramureș Photo Booth. Let time freeze and say cheese! – Photo opportunity
Visit Maramureș, Gateway to Romanian traditions! – Learn more about Romania & plan a visit
The Taste of Romania. Europe’s map in one bite! – A selection of Romanian foods
The Joy of Romanian Wines. Drinkable happiness! – A selection of gorgeous wines to try and buy
Romanian Literature in America – A showcase of recent books by Romanian-American authors & spoken word performances curated and managed by Bucharest inside the Beltway (BiB)

A Conversation with Ukraine and Romania's IMF Board Members on Ukraine war’s economic impact
2022-05-12 07:00 - 08:00 | Online, Digital
We are inviting you to join us for a conversation with Vladyslav Rashkovan, Representative of Ukraine at the IMF Executive Board and Liviu Voinea, Representative of Romania at the IMF Executive Board, centered around the economic implications of the Ukrainian crisis for Romania and Ukraine.

Vladyslav Rashkovan
Since 2017 Vladyslav is a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board. As an Alternate Executive Director Vladyslav represents 16 European countries, including Ukraine. At the IMF Vladyslav has been specialized on the global financial assessment, reforms of financial systems, fintech and digital currencies.
Prior to the IMF Vladyslav served as a Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), being responsible for the strategy of the Ukrainian banking sector reforms and turnaround transformation of the NBU.
Before joining the Central Bank in 2014, Vladyslav spent 8 years in UniCredit Group in Germany, Austria, and Poland being focused on managing turnaround projects in Central and Eastern Europe. Since 2010 Vladyslav occupied a position of Chief financial officer (CFO) and Deputy CEO of UniCredit Bank Ukraine.
Before UniCredit Vladyslav pursued the academia and consultancy career. In his non-profit activity Vladyslav served as a Chair of the banking committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine and member of the Board of directors of the Kyiv school of Economics.
Liviu Voinea
Liviu Voinea has been Senior Advisor to the Executive Director and a member of the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), representing Romania to the IMF since August 2019. Prior to that, he was Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Romania for a mandate of 5 years (October 2014 – August 2019), responsible for financial stability, macroeconomic forecasting, banking resolution and international relations. He was also Minister Delegate for Budget, member of the Government, responsible for budget and public debt, and in that capacity represented Romania to the ECOFIN Council (December 2012 – August 2014); in his mandate Romania exited the excessive deficit procedure, met the structural deficit target, and returned to investment grade. Prior to that, he was Deputy Minister of Finance (May 2012 – December 2012) and a non-executive Board Member of Eximbank Romania (2009 – 2012).
Liviu latest book, “Defensive Expectations. Reinventing the Phillips Curve as a Policy Mix” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021) offers an alternative perspective on consumption, savings and inflation in the aftermath of an economic crisis.

Meet your host

John Florescu
Media Executive and Alianta Board Member
John Florescu is host of the Conversation series and has conducted numerous interviews with world leaders
He is a TV producer, businessman, and journalist with experience in the United States and Europe.

A Conversation with Sergiu Celac - Romania's first post-communist minister of foreign affairs
2022-04-11 08:00 - 09:00
The Alianta Conversations event series invites influential leaders in business, politics, academia and the non-profit sector to the table for engaging discussions on the most important topics facing Romania. Now we are inviting you to join us for a conversation with Sergiu Celac, centered around the political, diplomatic and historical dimensions of the Ukrainian crisis.
Mr. Celac brings a unique perspective as the first post-communist Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania from December 1989 to June 1990.
The conversation will be livestreamed and we welcome your questions and comments online. Please follow, like and share our page to stay up-to-date with our latest events!
This event is free but reservations are required. Please RSVP by clicking the link.

A Conversation with Mr. Paun Rohovei Ukraine's Chargé d'affaires in Romania
2022-03-06 11:00 | Online, Digital
Watch the Livestream
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Our guest for this month’s Alianta Conversation is Paun Rohovei, CDA of Ukraine’s embassy to Bucharest.
From a top Ukrainian diplomat in the region, we will be talking about the evolving situation on the battle front in Ukraine and updating our viewers on critical information:

What is our guest hearing from government sources back home?
On refugees: statistics on who is coming over; how many fleeing; what’s being done at border points; and what are their real needs?
How can the West help? Which NGOs/humanitarian organizations are the best ones to support?
Romanian-Ukrainian border situation: looking at entry points West to East, and the Romanian side versus the Ukrainian side.
Disinformation: How extensive and what should we be paying attention to?

At the top of the show, John Florescu will give a current report from the border points near Baia Mare.

The Roma Community Project (theater & talk & film)
2020-11-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Romanian Cultural Institute, 200 East 38th St, New York, New York, 10016

Concert: cellist Mihai Marica + pianist Ilya Poletaev
2020-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Romanian Cultural Institute, 200 East 38th St, New York, New York, 10016

Chamber Orchestra Concert
2020-02-03 14:30 - 16:30 | Wayne State University, Schaver Recital Hall, 480 W. Hancock St., Detroit, MI, 48202
The American Romanian Festival once again presents the Wayne State University Orchestra, joined by WSU faculty and musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, in an evening of music guaranteed to help you travel over plains and borders. The first part of the program features Arthur Foote’s melodious and dynamic Serenade for Strings, followed by Exorcisme, a work for flute and chamber orchestra by Romanian composer Remus Georgescu and featuring WSU alumnus Shantanique Moore, currently a fellow with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The concert continues with the Almajan Suite by Remus Georgescu and selections from Old American Songs by Aaron Copland, featuring Wayne State University’s newly appointed voice professor Jonathan Lasch. The concerts ends with Constantin Silvestri’s melodious, playful, and fiery Three Pieces for String Orchestra.
This concert is given as part of this season’s American Romanian Festival.
Artists
Kypros Markou, conductor
Jonathan Lasch, baritone
Shantanique Moore, flute
Wayne State University Orchestra

Book Launch: Intellectuals and Fascism in Interwar Romania: The Criterion Association (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019)
2020-01-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Romanian Cultural Institute, 200 East 38th St, New York, New York, 10016
Cristina A. Bejan is a Rhodes and Fulbright scholar, Oxford DPhil (PhD) and faculty at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has taught history across the country (including Duke and Georgetown Universities) and worked at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum as a researcher. A theatre artist, she has written 17 plays and produced/directed/sound designed countless more in the US and abroad. Her poetry collection “Green Horses on the Walls” will be released May 22, 2020 by Finishing Line Press. As Executive Director of the arts group Bucharest Inside the Beltway she produces and promotes local and international art in Denver and Bucharest. BiB’s next project is producing an evening of 6 plays by women playwrights of Romanian heritage (Domnica Radulescu, Saviana Stanescu, Catalina Florina Florescu, Amanda Andrei, Rucsandra Pop and Bejan). Please visit cristinaabejan.com

Ambassador Jim Rosapepe at the Romanian Cultural Institute
2020-01-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Romanian Cultural Institute, 200 East 38th St, New York, New York, 10016
The Romanian Cultural Institute is celebrating 140 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Romania and the United States with a conversation with Senator Jim Rosapepe, one of the most popular U.S. ambassadors to Romania and the Board Chair of Alianta.
The talk, blending Ambassador Rosapepe’s Romanian reminiscences, personal observations, and vision statements, is also the launch of a partnership program between the Institute and Alianta.
This event is free and seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please RSVP at the ticket link if you wish to attend.

Book Launch: Intellectuals and Fascism in Interwar Romania
2020-01-23 09:00 - 11:00 | Woodrow Wilson International Institute, 1300 Pennsylvania, Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, DC, United States
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, invites you on Thursday, January 23 starting at 2:00 pm to discuss Cristina Bejan’s latest book “Intellectuals and Fascism in Interwar Romania: The Criterion Association (Modernity, Memory and Identity in South-East Europe).” She will be joined by Professor Vladimir Tismăneanu, Director of the Center for the Study of Post-communist Societies at University of Maryland (College Park). The event will take place at the Center located in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania, Ave., NW, Washington, DC.
In 1930s Bucharest, some of the country’s most brilliant young intellectuals converged to form the Criterion Association. Bound by friendship and the dream of a new, modern Romania, their members included historian Mircea Eliade, critic Petru Comărnescu, Jewish playwright Mihail Sebastian and a host of other philosophers and artists. Together, they built a vibrant cultural scene that flourished for a few short years, before fascism and scandal splintered their ranks. Cristina A. Bejan asks how the far-right Iron Guard came to eclipse the appeal of liberalism for so many of Romania’s intellectual elite, drawing on diaries, memoirs and other writings to examine the collision of culture and extremism in the interwar years. The first English-language study of Criterion and the most thorough to date in any language, this book grapples with the complexities of Romanian intellectual life in the moments before collapse.
Cristina A. Bejan is a Rhodes and Fulbright scholar. She has had fellowships at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), the Wilson Center and Georgetown University. She received her Masters and DPhil in Modern History from the University of Oxford and her BA in Philosophy (Honors) from Northwestern University, where she also studied theater. While a researcher for USHMM, she authored 64 articles on camps in Africa and Europe for the “Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos – Vol. 3.” Most recently she taught history at Duke University. A playwright and spoken word artist, her creative work has appeared in the US, UK, Romania and Vanuatu. Bejan runs the arts and culture collective Bucharest Inside the Beltway, based in Denver, CO and Bucharest, Romania.
Vladimir Tismăneanu is a Professor of politics and Director of the Center for the Study of Post-communist Societies at University of Maryland (College Park), President of the Presidential Commission for the Analysis of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania (April 2006–March 2007), and since April 2007, Chairman of the Presidential Consultative Commission for the Analysis of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania. He left communist Romania in 1981. In 1983, he joined the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia as a research associate and a contributing editor to ORBIS. Since 1990 he has been teaching at University of Maryland, Department of Government and Politics, receiving in 2003 the University of Maryland Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Award. In 2004, his book, ”Stalinism for All Seasons” was granted the “Barbara Jelavich Award” by the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies (AAASS). He serves as chair of the Editorial Committee of East European Politics and Societies and is also a member of the editorial boards of Human Rights Review, Studia Politica, and Journal of Democracy. For more than two decades he’s been a permanent collaborator of Radio Free Europa, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle and BBC and writes a weekly column for the influential Romanian daily Evenimentul Zilei.
Books will be available for sale at $20 (cash or check) and the author will be available to sign them.

Romanian Professional Society of Philadelphia Christmas Party
2019-12-14 13:00 - 18:00 | Sullivan House, 35 Hershey Drive, West Chester, PA, 19380, United States
Romanian Professional Society of Philadelphia
Cordially invites you to a Christmas Party
Saturday, December 14, 2019, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Admission Free
REGISTER HERE
West Chester’s beautiful Sullivan House
35 Hershey Drive, West Chester, PA 19380
Join us for Christmas Caroling (Colinde de Craciun) with the Elkins Park Romanian Orthodox Church Choir and a Special Piano Concert with our wonderful pianist guest Madalina- Claudia Danila.

Get in the spirit of Christmas with friends.
Mingle and mix with the Romanians of Philadelphia.
Hors D’ Oeuvres, Buffet Dinner and Cash Bar
If you wish to support RPSP: DONATE HERE.

National Day of Romania Concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC
2019-12-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Ave, New York, 10019, United States
Romanian Americans in New York City are invited to celebrate the National Day of Romania on Monday, December 2nd at 8pm, with an exclusive concert at Carnegie Hall. Violinist Remus Azoitei and pianist Eduard Stan will perform Ravel, Chausson and Enescu.
Tickets are now available at the link below.

"Colinde" in Chicago
2019-12-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Romanian Heritage Center, 6201 W. Howard Street, Niles, IL, United States
A Christmas Carols concert featuring the “Mitropolitul Dosoftei” Choir from Suceava, Romania will take place on Saturday, December 7, at 6:00 pm at the Romanian Heritage Centre.
The event is free of charge. You can register on the event page in Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/564856527673133/

Romanian United Fund organizes fundraiser for Via Transilvanica in Chicago
2019-12-05 03:00 - 12:00 | Stan Mansion, 2408 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
“The Wonders of Nature
The Beauty of Romania
The Road to Build
The Story to Tell
The Help to Give

Join Romanian United Fund to hear more about Via Transilvanica, about Via Transilvanica, the hiking trail that connects Putna to Drobeta-Turnu Severin: the story behind it, the dreams, the amazing people who are helping make it a reality. Come and meet one of the initiators, Alin Useriu talk about his hopes and struggles and dreams and find out how you can help build the hiking trail everyone is excited about.
The andesite markers that line the trail and guide the hikers could have “Chicago” written on them.
Come to the fundraiser and help put Chicago on a map in Romania. It sounds a bit quirky, but oh, so wonderful!

The fundraising event for Via Transilvanica will take place on December 5th at Stan Mansion.”

Program:
6:30-7:30 Cocktail party/Live Music
7:30-8:00 Romanian United Fund Presentation
8:00-8:30 Via Transilvanica Presentation
8:30-9:00 Q&A, Fundraising and Raffle
To RSVP please follow the steps in the link below.
Ruf.nationbuilder.com/viatransilvanica
Grand raffle prize: A 7-day backcountry guided tour in Transylvania with Tiberiu and Alin Useriu (air ticket, accomodation and meals included) including a visit to Cluj and Bistrita (Pasul Tihuta). See the Romanian countryside, castles, and villages.

NYC: Radu Ioanid on Communist Romania and the Memory of the Holocaust
2019-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Romanian Cultural Institute, 200 East 38th St, New York, New York, 10016
As part of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York series of events dedicated to the Anniversary of 30 years since the fall of Communism in Romania, historian Radu Ioanid, the Director of the International Archival Program at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., revisits the policies of communist Romania towards the country’s responsibility in the Holocaust.
Radu Ioanid is Director of the International Archival Program at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He was Vice-President of the International Commission on the Holocaust in Romania, headed by Elie Wiesel, in 2003/2004. His book entitled “The Holocaust in Romania. The Destruction of Jews and Gypsies under the Antonescu Regime, 1940-1944” (2000) shows the stages of Romanian massacres of Jews. Further publications include “The Sword of the Archangel. Fascist Ideology in Romania” (1990) and “Le Pogrom de Jassy” (2015).

NY Romanian Film Festival "The Romanians: 30 Years of Cinema Revolution"
2019-11-15 05:00 - 2019-11-26 17:00
“For its 2019 edition, Making Waves celebrates the 30 years since the Revolution of 1989 with a comprehensive 30-Film Retrospective of Romanian Cinema of the Past 30 Years, the largest Romanian film program presented in the U.S. to date. The program will run at Film Forum in New York City from November 15-26, 2019. A selection of the retrospective will tour throughout the U.S. through May 2020. The line up of the festival is posted here: https://makingwaves.filmetc.org/schedule/films/.
Back in 2005, a three hour-long black comedy about a dying man made history by resurrecting Romanian cinema. The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu was part of the birth of an artistic revolution that ignited an ever-growing international interest in an outstanding generation of filmmakers. It also triggered the rediscovery of past highlights which offered a genealogy for what critics came to call the Romanian New Wave.
Spanning the 30 years since the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the fall of Communism, this comprehensive showcase presents 30 representative titles from the recent history of Romanian cinema. Naturally, history is the running theme in most films. In the 1990s, directors who found themselves freed from the tyranny of censorship rushed out in the open to tell stories from the recent past. In the following two decades, younger directors went back in time on their own terms and came up with a fresh perspective on the communist era. Even when they chronicled the present in sharp slices of life, the dark shadows of the past still permeated their contemporary stories, like familiar ghosts. And then there is the enigma of the Revolution itself, which continues to beg for closure.
Newer films dig into the more distant though equally relevant past, and there is also escapism, mostly in genre formats. But despite its apparent diversity, this vast retrospective works best as a history lesson served in the most entertaining form: movies.”

The Romanians: 30 Years of Cinema Revolution
A retrospective initiated by the Making Waves Film Festival & Cinema Projects
Originated at Film Forum New York (Nov 2019) and touring throughout the U.S.
Produced by Corina Șuteu and Oana Radu
Curated by Mihai Chirilov, Corina Șuteu, and David Schwartz (Cinema Projects)
With the support of the Trust for Mutual Understanding, Romanian Filmmakers Union, Dacin Sara, the Romanian National Film Center, Blue Heron Foundation and numerous individual donors
Film notes: Mihai Chirilov/David Schwartz

Seattle Romanian Film Festival - 6th Edition
2019-11-15 05:00 - 2019-11-17 17:00 | SIFF Cinema Uptown, Seattle
Celebrating 30 years since the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the 6th edition of the Seattle Romanian Film Festival, entitled “One Eye Laughing, One Eye Crying: Stories OFF the Wall”, brings you Romanian and Eastern European cinema echoing the political, economic and existential dilemmas that have reshaped Europe in the aftermath of the Cold War. Bounced OFF a wall that divided families, generations and nations, these stories harness the unifying power of film to create new bridges, in a universal quest for shared meaning.

We have made history together: from one of the smallest venues in town with 93 seats (in 2014), we have upgraded the festival to the largest auditoriums @ SIFF CINEMA Uptown with 275 seats (between 2015-2018). From about 750 viewers attending the first edition, we have been reaching approximately 2,300 people every year. From an ethnic film festival, we have succeeded in creating an authentic Seattle experience where people of all backgrounds watch internationally acclaimed films, learn something about Romanian heritage, laugh and cry together, proving that the festival has earned its title “One Eye Laughing, One Eye Crying”.
Check out the full lineup for the 6th Edition of The Romanian Film Festival Seattle (November 15-17 at SIFF Cinema Uptown). More than in any other years, this year’s edition offers you the BEST of European cinema, with films that received over 30 national and international prizes!
https://www.arcsproject.org/film-festival.

Screening of "The Reenactment" by Lucian Pintilie at the National Gallery od Art in Washington, DC
2019-11-10 11:00 - 13:00 | National Gallery of Art, 6th And Constitutions Ave NW, Washington, DC, United States
Lucian Pintilie’s ”The Reenactment (Reconstituirea)”, a classic Romanian movie from 1968, will be screened at the National Gallery of Art, on November 10 @ 4pm, in the West Building Lecture Hall, as a part of the film program “Welcome to Absurdistan: Eastern European Cinema 1950 to 1989”. The screening is part of a series of films from seven Central and Eastern European countries, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1989 revolutions that overthrew their communist regimes. Also, the screening honors the passing of director Lucian Pintilie last year.
“This program marks the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of the former “people’s republics” from their previously socialist and Soviet-dominated regimes, a shared sensibility of the absurd uniting these diverse nations as well as their films” (National Gallery of Art)
”The Reenactment (Reconstituirea)” was banned from Romanian cinemas in 1969 by the communist regime, a ban which lasted until the communism fall in 1989.
More details about the movie and the film program:
https://www.nga.gov/calendar/film-programs/absurdistan/reenactment.html
https://www.nga.gov/calendar/film-programs/absurdistan.html

Romanian Animated Film "Marona's Fantastic Tale" at Kids Euro Festival in Washington, DC
2019-11-03 06:00 - 07:30 | AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road , Silver Spring , 20910, 20910
“Marona’s Fantastic Tale” by Anca Damian will be screened at Kids Euro Festival, in Washington, D.C., at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, on Sunday, November 3, @ 11.00 am. The movie is in French with English subtitles.
Romanian director Anca Damian brings the stunning character design of Belgian artist Brecht Evens to life in this beautiful animated tale told from a pup’s perspective. Marona is a mixed-breed Labrador whose life leaves deep traces among the humans she encounters. After an accident, she reflects on all the homes and different experiences she’s had. In this beautiful and deeply emotional story of an average dog and her extraordinary life, Marona’s memory journeys into the past, as her unfailing empathy and love brings lightness and innocence into each of her owners’ lives (Note adapted from GKIDS). DIR/SCR/PROD Anca Damian; PROD Ron Dyens, Tomas Leyers. Romania/France/Belgium, 2019, color, NOT RATED.
This event is brought to you by the 12th annual Kids Euro Festival, a two-week long festival of European arts and culture presenting free activities to D.C. metro area children from age 2 to 12. With programs both for the general public and for school groups, more than 10,000 DC-area children and their families enjoy Kids Euro Festival programs each year. This is made possible by the 28 European Union countries and the European Union Delegation in Washington in cooperation with the European-American Cultural Foundation and The Carmel Cultural Endowment for the Arts. For the full lineup of events, please visit www.kidseurofestival.org and follow us at #KidsEUFest.
FREE SCREENING! Tickets are limited to 4 per reservation and are not a guarantee of admission. You must be seated at least 15 min prior to showtime. Seating is limited so please arrive early. Empty seats will be released to standby line guests.
This free screening of MARONA’S FANTASTIC TALE is presented with the support of the Embassy of Romania.

Vox Maris Band CD Release Concert in Chicago, IL
2019-11-02 14:00 - 18:00 | Mayfair Theater, Chicago, IL, 4626 N Knox Ave., Chicago, IL, 60630-4030, United States
Vox Maris Band, a Chicago based Romanian Rock Band of Transylvanian origins, presents a CD release concert on November 2nd at the Irish American Heritage Centre, with special guests ODE, Ana Everling, Horatiu Ormindeanu, and Tavi Benz.
“Come and listen to a Transylvanian Rock experience born on the streets of Chicago! Experience a different musical perspective about life through the eyes of a faraway mysterious land overlooking Carpathian Mountains of Romania, where legend, mystery and reality are often found to be part of a daily routine. The new album, called “Paine si Sare ( Bread and Salt)”, touches on several subjects related to the shared experience in between seemingly different worlds, such as love, family, awareness of reality and tradition,” announce the organisers.
Vox Maris Band is Dan Paduraru on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Adrian Nechiti on electric guitar, Dan Rizo on percussion, Marius Olteanu on electric guitar, Andrei Diaconu on bass guitar and Marcel Vinesar on keyboard.
Also on stage will be present the Moldovan Jazz vocalist Ana Everling, and ODE – an indie rock band that specializes in combining elements of Balkan folk music with hints of dark Americana and World Punk. Ode is Davor Palos on vocals, Robert Palos on guitar, Nikola Dokic on guitar, Elliot Taggart on bass, Daniel Crane on drums and special guest Horatiu Ormindeanu on violin.
The concert is Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Irish American Heritage Center’s Mayfair Theater at 4626 North Knox Avenue, Chicago. Free Parking on site! Tickets are $30 for adults and children 12 and under are $15. Purchase your tickets online and get $5 off of the new CD, when you purchase at the concert.
