National Culture Day 2025
On January 15, the National Culture Day is celebrated in all communities inhabited by Romanians, inside or outside the country's borders.
Leyla Cheamil, 15.01.2025, 14:00
Since 2011, Romania has celebrated, every year, the National Culture Day, which marks the date of birth of the national poet Mihai Eminescu. This day is dedicated to Romanian culture, art and academic effort, emphasizing the role of Mihai Eminescu in shaping the national cultural identity, through his contributions in literature, journalism, philosophy and theater. This year marks 175 years since the birth of the one who is considered the greatest Romanian poet. The National Culture Day was initiated by the former president of the Romanian Academy, Eugen Simion, and enacted by the Romanian Parliament in 2010.
Adrian Cioroianu, director of the National Library of Romania, believes that this day should be celebrated every day of the year, not just on January 15. “In my opinion, it is a very good idea to establish a National Culture Day, given that culture remains, I think, the main piece of identity in any society, including the Romanian society”, Adrian Cioroianu pointed out. He added that the simple establishment of a National Culture Day keeps the cultural leaders alert and manifestations take place all over the country, many of them quite successful and which, in a way, could turn into an example of good practices.
Now in its 15th edition, the National Culture Day is celebrated in all communities inhabited by Romanians, inside or outside the country’s borders. In Bucharest and across the country, numerous events have been scheduled: conferences, debates, concerts and exhibitions, and entry to many museums is free. Among the events organized in Bucharest are book and photography launches, creative workshops, debates and performances. The “Carol I” Central University Library has scheduled an “Eminescu Evening” dedicated to the National Culture Day, the event featuring the soprano Arlinda Morava, the actor Claudiu Bleonţ and the pianist Adriana Alexandru.
The Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation also marks the National Culture Day. The stations Radio Romania Regional, Radio Romania Village Antenna (Antena Satelor), Radio Romania International, the Minorities Department and Radio Romania Radio 3Net have prepared special programs dedicated to this celebration and the main theme of this year: facilitating access to culture for the general public. In November 2024, the National Institute for Cultural Research and Training launched the “Cultural Consumption Barometer 2023. Consumption communities in the context of societal changes”. According to the research, the frequency of visiting the culturally relevant objectives increased rapidly. Thus, 67% of the respondents visited historical monuments and archaeological sites at least once a year in 2023, compared to 59% in 2022, and 45% visited a museum, exhibition or art gallery at least once a year in 2023, compared to 30% in 2022. (LS)
