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Romanians Celebrate 150 Years Since Union Of Romanian Principalities

Romania’s northeastern city of Iasi hosted Saturday morning the ceremony celebrating 150 years since the de facto Union of Wallachia and Moldavia into the Principality of Romania on January 24, 1859 under union leader Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
Romanians Celebrate 150 Years Since Union Of Romanian Principalities
24 ian. 2009, 16:00, English

Over 500 attendees had the chance to enjoy a concert of popular traditional songs performed by outstanding artists.

 The local democrat liberal, social democrat and liberal leaders asked people to forget about politics and their political orientation for one day and urged them to come together and wave the national flag on this special day.
 
Romanian President Traian Basescu, Senate speaker Mircea Geoana, the Chamber of Deputies head, Roberta Anastase, tourism minister Elena Udrea and local attendees held each others’ hands and danced the famous Hora Unirii (Hora of the Union) around Cuza’s statue.
 
The head of state told journalists he appreciated the fact that neither the attendees nor any politician made the Moldavian celebration political, unlike previous years when the Piata Unirii (The Union Square) in Iasi turned into a plaza of political disputes.
 
Basescu also said, during the speech held in the square, that Romania needs politicians who are willing to make sacrifices for Romanians, adding politicians must understand that nobody is above the law.
 
The head of state highlighted that Romania came into being and started to thrive soon after January 24, 1859, adding this process can never be hindered.
 
He also said we need to evolve more, as each and every day brings new challenges and demands.
 
"The country’s modernization process does not concern only politicians, but the entire nation. I am asking you, the 22 million Romanians countrywide and those tens of millions of Romanians abroad, to get involved in Romania’s modernization process. We need to modernize the Constitution, public institutions and the country, and, above all, we need to change our mentality," said Basescu.
 
Moreover, the head of state said Romanians are smart and strong and they must never settle for small things, while politicians must offer Romanians a lot more. He also called for solidarity in the fallout of economic crisis, which also affected Romania.
 
Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc reached the country’s northwestern city of Cluj Saturday morning, around 9:50, and attended the ceremony organized by the local mayoralty.
 
Boc reviewed the Honor Guard, which saluted him, attended the wreath laying ceremony at Cuza’s statue and danced the Hora alongside local high officials.
 
In his speech in front of Cuza’s statue, Boc said Romanians must stick together in difficult times, adding we can only get stronger and overcome any obstacle if we stick together.