Valentine’s Day in Romania
Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day, is celebrated annually on February 14. Originating as a Western Christian feast day honouring one or two early saints named Valentinus, Valentine’s Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.
The Romanian version of Valentine’s Day is the so-called Dragobete. Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday celebrated between February 24 and March 25, according to specific traditions in Romania’s provinces. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia, which stands for the main character in the pagan myth related to spring arrival.
However, it’s understandable why Valentine’s Day has taken over and gained popularity. Easier to relate to, it is quite widely encountered within the urban population. This is why you’ll see plenty of Valentine’s Day themed parties or dining nights.
Romania’s defence minister on a visit to Brussels
Romania’s Defence Minister Mihai Fifor started a two-day visit to Brussels on Wednesday. Mr. Fifor is expected to attend a meeting of defence ministers in NATO countries. NATO Defence Ministers plan to modernize Commmand Structure, take decisions on Iraq while also reviewing progress on defence spending and burden-sharing. In his opening statement, NATO Secetary General Jens Stoltenberg said the meeting was aimed at preparing the NATO summit in July. „We will begin with a meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group. We will also take decisions to modernise NATO’s Command Structure. I expect we will agree to establish two new Commands. One for the Atlantic. And a support command for military mobility within Europe as well as a new Cyber Operations Centre”, Mr. Stoltenberg pointed out. The NATO ministers are also expected to meet EU’s High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini later on Wednesday when EU’s efforts on defence and NATO-EU cooperation are also to be discussed.. „Done in the right way, these efforts can make a contribution to fairer burden-sharing between Europe and North America”, NATO Secretary General pointed out.
A Romanian writer wins Germany’s Thomas Mann Prize
A Romanian writer was awarded the prestigious Thomas Mann Prize for Literature in Germany on Tuesday. Also known as the Thomas Mann Prize of the city of Lübeck and the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, the prize is jointly awarded by the Hanseatic City of Lübeck and the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. „The 2018 prize will go to Romanian writer Mircea Cărtărescu. Born in Bucharest in1956, Mr. Cărtărescu became one of the major figures in Romanian literature”, an anouncement says. The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Lübeck Theater where German novelist Uwe Tellkamp will make a laudatio speech.
Alexandru Danga
