President's message on Romania's National Day

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu sent a congratulatory message today on Romania's National Day, emphasizing the importance of the historic moment on December 1, 1918, and the fundamental values gained through the Great Union.


"Today we celebrate the historic moment of December 1, 1918 – a moment that opened the path to peace, freedom, and democracy for the Romanian people more than a century ago," the head of state declared.


Maia Sandu highlighted that these values are currently threatened by tense international realities, which is why the responsibility of the current generation is significant.


"These values are threatened now more than ever. In this complicated context, our duty is to honor through deeds the efforts and sacrifices of those who made the historic decision at Alba Iulia possible," the president pointed out.


She also mentioned the obligation for future generations to inherit an environment where rights and freedoms are guaranteed.


"Let us defend their legacy so that we, in turn, can leave our children and grandchildren a Romanian space where they can live freely, with dignity, and with respect for national values," Sandu added.


At the end, the president addressed a congratulatory message to Romanians everywhere.

December 1 was proclaimed as Romania's National Day in 1990, being marked for the first time in the same year at Alba Iulia. Since then, every year, both in Bucharest and in most cities across the country, military parades are held and numerous ceremonies, including wreath laying, are organized.

Romania's National Day is linked to the historical event of December 1, 1918 – the Union of Transylvania, Banat, Crișana, and Maramureș with Romania, proclaimed at Alba Iulia. The event crowns the struggle of Romanians for National Unity and marks the creation of Greater Romania, continuing the previous unification actions from Bessarabia (March 27, 1918) and Bukovina (November 15/28, 1918).

Today, Romania's National Day is celebrated in Bucharest with a military parade. Events begin at 09:00 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol I Park, with a military and religious ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers, in memory of Romanian heroes who sacrificed their lives for national ideals.

At 11:00, in the Arch of Triumph Square in Bucharest, the military parade will take place, with over 2,900 soldiers participating, along with 220 technical vehicles and 45 aircraft.

According to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, alongside Romanian soldiers, 240 foreign soldiers will parade this year as part of detachments from France, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the USA, as well as soldiers from NATO contributing countries on Romanian territory.

A military equipment exhibition will be set up near the Arch of Triumph, accessible to the public until 14:30.

The National Museum of Romanian History will be open to the public from 09:00 to 17:00, with free access, offering visitors the opportunity to explore collections.

The Maps Museum in the capital will welcome visitors from 10:00 to 18:00, following the usual schedule, and will offer free access to all those interested in Romania's cartographic heritage.

The National Museum of Art of Romania will allow visits to the permanent galleries and three temporary exhibitions dedicated to National Day, providing the public with a varied cultural program throughout the day.