June 2, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 02.06.2024, 20:00
TERMINAL – The largest grain transshipment terminal in Europe was inaugurated, on Friday, in Suceava county (northern Romania), on the border with Ukraine, in the presence of the Romanian and Ukrainian authorities. The new terminal was built in a public-private partnership and cost approximately 10 million euros, the financing being provided by the largest group of private railway companies with Romanian shareholders in Southeast Europe. Due to its large transshipment capacity, the terminal will become a strategic point for streamlining grain traffic from the border with Ukraine to the Port of Constanta.
RESTORATION – The restoration project of St. Michael’s Church in Cluj-Napoca (north-western Romania) and that of a Saxon church in a village in Sibiu county (center) are among the winners of this year’s edition of the European Heritage Awards, awarded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Saint Michael’s Church went through an extensive restoration process between 2016 and 2022, and the project also included interior remodeling and modernization works. In turn, according to the European Commission Representation in Bucharest, the Saxon church, rehabilitated from the ground up, is considered a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship. The awards ceremony will take place on October 7 in Bucharest.
BOOKS – Romania takes part, between May 31 and June 16, in the 83rd edition of the Madrid Book Fair, with a national stand and 20 literary events. Three million visitors are expected at over 300 events for readers of all ages and 5,000 autograph sessions. Romania is participating in this large-scale event for the 13th time. Among the Romanian writers present at the event are Gabriela Adameşteanu, Eugen Barz, Aura Christi, Nichita Danilov, Cristian Fulaş, Miguel Gane, Stejărel Olaru, Radu Paraschivescu, Radmila Popovici, Andreea Răsuceanu and Corina Sabău, a journalist with Radio Romania International. On the other hand, the Sibiu International Theater Festival was awarded the Order of Civil Merit of Spain by King Felipe VI. The distinction will be handed out by the Spanish ambassador to Romania, during the 31st edition of this cultural event that will take place between June 21 and 30.
BOOKFEST – The 17th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair closed its doors on Sunday in Bucharest. The 2024 edition brought together 200 exhibitors and 150 publishing houses from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the latter being the guest of honor this year. A project co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, the Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Romanian Editors’ Association. At the previous international editions, the invited countries were: Spain, Hungary, France, the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Poland, the Czech Republic, Israel, Sweden, the United States, Great Britain, Japan and Italy. Bookfest has local editions in Timisoara (west), Cluj-Napoca (north-west), Târgu Mures, Brasov (center) and another international edition in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova.
VOLLEYBALL -The Romanian national women’s volleyball team was defeated by Spain 3-1, on Sunday, in Gijon, in a match from the preliminary phase of the Golden League. However, Romania has secured, regardless of the result, a place at the Final Four tournament of the competition. Thus, Romania (with four wins and two defeats), along with Belgium, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, will participate in the tournament on June 15-16, in Ostrava (Czech Republic), with the winner being rewarded with 100,000 euros. On Saturday, the Romanian national men’s volleyball squad was defeated by the Czech team, 3-2, in Karlovy Vary, in their last Golden League match. (EE)