Romania’s Culture Day
Romania is celebrating its National Culture Day on January 15, the day when the country’s greatest poet Mihai Eminescu was born 165 years ago in the Romanian north-eastern village of Ipoteşti. Born as Mihail Eminovici in January 15, 1850, Eminescu is seen as the last Romantic poet in world literature. A poet, a writer and also a journalist, he was an active member of the Junimea Literary Society in the Romanian Moldavian city of Iassy led by Titu Maiorescu, a famous critic. As editorialist with „Timpul” („The Time”) newspaper, Eminescu expressed his conservative and sometime nationalist opinions. He is also known for his friendship with Ion Creangă, a writer seen as Romania’s greatest story-teller. Eminescu’s love affair with Veronica Micle, herself a poet, was subject of debates with some voices even questioning the truth of the story. The poem of „Luceafărul” („The Morning Star”/”Lucifer”) is seen as Mihai Eminescu’s masterpiece. Other famous poems include the five Letters (Satires), „La steaua” („To the Star”), „Dorinţa” („One Wish”), „Floare albastră” („Blue Flower”), „Atât de fragedă” („So Delicate”) and many others. Mihai Eminescu died in June 15, 1889
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis goes to Brussels
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis left for Brussels on Thursday. The event marks Mr. Iohannis’ first official visit to the EU capital where he is expected to meet EU officials and other European counterparts. The Romanian president will attend meetings with European Council President, Donald Tusk, Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, and NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg. Mr. Iohannis told reporters at the Otopeni International Airport that an enforced European integration was one of his mandate’s priorities and he wanted to send a clear message to the European leaders in this respect.
Police raids in Romania’s capital and nine Romanian counties
Romanian police has launched a number of raids in the Romanian capital Bucharest and nine Romanian counties on Thursday. Some 150 police are seraching businesses and homes of people suspected of confectioning forged documents designed to illegaly cut VAT payments. Damages hit more than 2 million lei, according to sources.
Simona Halep, Romania’s Athlete of the Year
Romanian tennis player Simon Halep was awarded Romania’s Athlete of the Year title by the country’s Olympic Committee on Wednesday. Halep is a professional tennis player currently ranking #3 in WTA top. She first broke into the world’s top at the end of 2012. However, Simona Halep withdrew from the Sydney International on Tuesday after she was diagnosed with gastroenteritis. She was scheduled to face Karolina Pliskova in her opening match.
Alexandru Danga
