Romanian Day Festival
The Romanian Day Festival in New York City on Broadway is a Romanian cultural festival. It has been held every year since 1999 on the first Saturday of May to commemorate Romanian immigration to the United States. The occasion draws together the almost 200,000 Romanian-Americans/Romanians living in New York City. The Romanian community is one of only seven immigrant communities in New York that has Broadway closed for an ethnic festival.
Overview
MIC & Associates and the largest Romanian-American weekly, ZIUA USA, organize Romania Day Festival on Broadway, an event that brings together Romanians from North America and from all over the world. The Festival takes place in the Lower Manhattan Financial District, and is attended by people from the New York metropolitan region, tourists, businessmen, leaders of the Romanian-American community, church officials, and other dignitaries.
During the event, the financial heart of the City of New York, from Wall Street to Fulton and Broad Street celebrates the best of Romanian culture, history and traditions. The President of Romania, Mr. Traian Basescu, has been invited and is expected to attend the Festival. Representatives of American government and of New York, together with Romanian counterparts, participate in the opening ceremonies of the festival. Numerous Romanian and American organizations present and promote their products and services to all those in attendance. Traditional Romanian food and drinks are served, while folk art is exhibited. Artists and renowned musicians perform live for the audience, the largest gathering of Romanians outside the country's borders. The Festival culminates with a dinner gala for the sponsors.
History
The Festival was celebrated for the first time in April 2000 by Stefan Minovici, founder and president of MIC & Associates, a Wall Street business consulting firm. Since then, the Festival has become a tradition and has continued to grow each year. It has evolved from a local two-block street fair, to an international event that is broadcast live to over 10 million people world-wide.
The Festival in 2000
The guest of honor during the first edition of Romania Day Festival were Their Majesties King Michael and Queen Ana of Romania and the Royal Family. Many celebrities, diplomats and dignitaries, politicians, and Romanian and American businessmen took part in the event: sports celebrities Ilie Năstase and Dumitru Haradau, Romanian diplomats and politicians Sorin Ducaru, Ion Gorita, Mircea Geoana, former Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC, and former Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Linda Grass, representative of New York Mayor Giuliani, and others.
The Festival in 2001
Some of the top dignitaries who attended the second edition of the Romanian Day Festival include: Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania, Dan Matei Agaton, Romanian Minister of Tourism, Mugur Isarescu, Governor of Romania's National Bank, and Sorin Ducaru, Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC.
The Festival in 2002
The third edition of the Romania Day Festival took place on Water Street, and was honored by the presence of Ion Iliescu, President of Romania, Daniela Bartos, Romanian Minister of Health, Ecaterina Andronescu, Romanian Minister of Education, Sorin Ducaru and Alexandru Niculescu, the Ambassadors of Romania to Washington, DC, and the United Nations, respectively. Romania's number one sports figure, Gheorghe Hagi, and two well known Romanian pop groups contributed to the success of the event.
The Festival in 2003
Many personalities attended the fourth edition Romanian Day Festival in 2003. They are: Simona Miculescu, Senior Presidential Adviser, Dan Matei Agaton, Romanian Minister of Tourism, and Sorin Ducaru, Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC.
The Festival in 2004
The fifth edition of the Romania Day Festival brought the first live TV coverage of such an event from Romanian Diaspora. The live coverage was possible due to a partnership with the Romanian National Television – TVR. Among the Romanian stars participating were Monica Anghel, Nicola and her band, and the renowned pan flutist Nicolae Voiculet.
The Festival in 2005
At the 2005 edition, the live TV transmission was extended to four continents. Singers Andra, Nicola and George Rotaru, together with famous dancing folk group Banatul, entertained the audience for over eight hours. Sorin Ducaru, Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC, and Mihnea Motoc, Ambassador of Romania to the United Nations, participated in this event together with Mihai Naumescu, Romanian State Secretary, and Linda Grass, New York Mayor Bloomberg's representative.
The Festival in 2006
At the seventh edition, the famous Romanian pop band Akcent, singers Nicola and George Rotaru, together with popular dancing folk group Banatul, entertained the audience. Sorin Ducaru, Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC, and Mihnea Motoc, Ambassador of Romania to the United Nations, participated in this event together with Gheorghe Barbu, Romanian Secretary of Labor, the Honorable Nino Pavoni, General Consul of Romania in New York, and Mayor Bloomberg's representatives Terry Jackson and Elizabeth Daly.
The Festival in 2007
The eight edition of the Romania Day Festival in New York took place on Saturday, May 5. Just as it had for 7 years in a row, the Financial Center of the world vibrated with sounds and lyrics of the Romanian music and language for a day. A display of traditional Romanian crafts, traditional music, national costumes, ethnic foods, and pop music brought together over 25,000 participants, from our Diaspora, their American friends alike and tourists from all over the world. Celebrities from back home as well as renowned artists of the Romanian-American community took turns and captivated the broad audience from the large stage especially set up for the event. Among the ones entertaining the public were: De La Vegas duet (Romania), folk music singer Lia Lungu (USA), Sanziana & Ani Stanciu (USA), and the band INDIGGO. The festival, hosted by TV personalities Mihaela Craciun and Cosmin Chivu, was aired live, via satellite to an audience of millions from Australia to Canada.
The Festival in 2008
The ninth edition of the Festival was made possible with financial support from the Romanian Ministers of Small and Medium Enterprises, Commerce, Tourism and Liberal Professions, the National Tourism Office of Romania, and with the New York assistance of Mr. Simion Alb.
The festival took place on the Bowling Green Esplanade outside the Museum of the American Indians, and benefited by the presence of two important figures of Romanian Television and Fashion scene: Mihaela Radulescu and Catalin Botezatu. The event was recorded and broadcast during the Romanian TV show hosted by Mihaela Radulescu. Catalin Botezatu charmed the audience with two exceptional fashion collections, which later in the day were privately presented to big American luxury goods companies. Many Romanian artists performed during the show: Oana Zavoranu, at the first public appearance after her first music album, Andreea Antonescu, Camelia Ciobanu, Lia Lungu, Sanziana & Ani Stanciu, Marisena Zamfir and the dancing folk group Banatul.
The event was honored by the presence of Adrian Vierita, the Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC, the Honorable Pietro Pavoni, General Consul of Romania in New York, Terry Jackson, Director of International Affairs Division City of New York, and a group of Romanian and American businessmen.
The Festival in 2009
The anniversary edition of the Romania Day Festival was the culmination of a week dedicated to the Romanian industry, which was attended by the prominent Romanian financial institutions, from as wide-ranging fields as defense, energy and infrastructure, as well as executives from big American companies and investment funds. The Guests of Honor for this series of events were: Rudolph Giuliani, former Mayor of New York, and Professor Robert Engle, Laureate of the Nobel Prize for Economics, on the American side, and General Constantin Degeratu, Presidential Advisor for National Security and Defense, and Price Paul of Romania and Princess Lia, on the Romanian side.
The Romania Broadway Festival was attended by over 20,000 people, who came to watch the 7-hour long concert given by Romanian artists, including George Rotaru, Lia Lungu, Cristina Turcu, Brandusa Covalciuc, and the group "Romanasul".
The Festival in 2010
The Eleventh Edition of the Romania Day Festival continued the tradition of the largest cultural event outside the country that celebrated the best values that Romania has to offer, from traditions, music, culture, history or food. The program included a 6 hours live concert of local Romanian artist such as George Rotaru, Natalia Sandu, Lia Lungu, Nina Turcanu, Mihai Donca, Toni Cortez or Diana Prepelita. The event was honored by the presence of Adrian Vierita, the Ambassador of Romania to Washington, DC, the Honorable Pietro Pavoni, General Consul of Romania in New York, Terry Jackson, Director of International Affairs Division City of New York, Kristy Stiles, Director of PR of Governor David A. Paterson, and a group of Romanian and American businessmen. Last year, following the Eleventh Annual Festival – Romania Broadway – and lobbying efforts by MIC & Associates, Governor David A. Paterson has proclaimed the month of May, the Romanian Heritage Month in the State of New York and May 1st, and the Romanian National Day. It was for the first time in history of the State when such honors were bestowed upon the Romanian-American community in New York.
The Festival in 2011
MIC & Associates and “Fratii Minovici” Cultural Foundation will organized the Twelfth Edition of the Romania Day Festival on legendary Broadway. On Sunday, May 16 the financial heart of the City of New York celebrated the best of Romanian culture, history and traditions. The program included a live five-hour series of artistic events with local Romanian performers, theatre, ruffles and other entertainment moments. The guests of honor were H.E. Laszlo Borbely, the Romanian Minister of the Environment. Other key representatives of the United States and local government and from City Hall of New York, together with Romanian counterparts and leaders of the Romanian-American community were also present. More than 25,000 tourists, diplomats, businessmen, church officials, and other dignitaries participated at the event. The previous year, following the Eleventh Annual Festival – Romania Broadway – and lobbying efforts by MIC & Associates, Governor David A. Paterson has proclaimed the month of May, the Romanian Heritage Month in the State of New York and May 1st, the Romania National Day. It was for the first time in history of the State when such honors were bestowed upon the Romanian-American community in New York.
The Festival in 2012
The 13th Edition of the festival took place on Sunday May 5, 2012. Among the guests of honour was HE Laszlo Borbely, Romanian Minister of Environment and Forests, HE Cristian Petrescu, Romanian Minister of Tourism and Development and Mr. Barna Tantzos, State Secretary for Agriculture. HE Simona Miculescu, Romanian UN Ambassador and Marian Parjo, Consul General in New York, presented messages of support from the Romanian Government in front of a large audience. The spectators were entertained by a series of concerts of Romanian and local artists, such as Ana-Maria Ferencz or Banatul Group. The visitors enjoyed the traditional food, while getting to know Romania and its treasures through an exquisite exhibition presented by the Romanian Minister of Tourism.
The Festival in 2013
The 14th edition of the Festival took place on Sunday May 12, 2013 on Broadway, between Liberty Street and Battery Park. It was the first time in its history when artists from Romania and the United States did not participate at this extraordinary event that celebrated Romanian history, culture and traditions.
Politicians, ambassadors, ministers and high ranking American officials were forced to cancel their appearance at the Festival. Over 20,000 people, mostly non-Romanian tourists and New Yorkers did show up, however, on a very bright and warm Sunday to visit the stands and spend the day in a less than Romanian setting in the heart of New York City.
We very much regret that we disappointed our compatriots and supporters, but will continue with our efforts to promote a wonderful country, with superb values and talented people next year in 2014. With no pledges, support and contributions from Romania, it is virtually impossible to carry on a real event of this magnitude by one individual and his family.
The Festival in 2014
The most important Romanian cultural event outside the country’s borders, the Romania Day Festival on Broadway, held its Fifteenth Edition on Sunday, June 22, 2014. The meeting place for two worlds, Romanian and American, created the perfect opportunity to bring together people from many worlds, but above all, traditions, values and culture from one very special country, Romania. On the most venerated stage of the world, Broadway, along the famous Canyon of the Heroes, in the Financial District of Manhattan, we enjoyed together the best that our country has to offer to America and the World at large.
Among the American officials who attended our event this year were: Honorable Loretta Sanchez (D) Congresswoman from California, the co-chair of the Romanian Caucus and the keynote speaker of the Festival; New York City Mayor, Bill De Blasio; Romanian Minister Delegate of the Diaspora, H.E. Bogdan Stanoevici; Romanian Ambassador to Washington DC, H.E. Iulian Buga; and H.E. Simona Miculescu, Ambassador and the Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations.
The Romania Day Festival was held on Broadway, between Liberty Street and Battery Park/ Bowling Green Plaza. Artists from both Romania and United States participated at this extraordinary event that celebrates the Romanian history, culture, values and traditions.Community leaders, artists, politicians, diplomats and several high-ranking American officials joined us, the largest Romanian Diaspora in the world, to celebrate our Festival. Over 25,000 people visited the stands and spent the day in an original Romanian setting, in the heart of New York City.