XX Edition Romania Day on Broadway – Saturday May 18, 2019

The XX Edition of Romania Day on Broadway took place on Saturday May 18th and featured one of the most memorable and varied performance programs to date. More than a dozen renown artists participated including, Mirel Manea & Orchestra, George Rotaru, Maria Loga, Brandusa Covalciuc, Iuliana Roata, Valeria Arnautu, Banatul Ensemble, with special ballet performances by the Romanian Opera Ballet Studio, impressive ethnic Aromanian dances by the Pilisterlu Ensemble set to traditional Aromanian wedding songs by Stelian Arau, a classical Romanian jazz routine by NY's native Luc Moutin Jazz trio, and even unique baladi by talented Natalia, as seen on "Romanii au talent” as well as many other original productions.

The official opening remarks and well wishes for the festival were made by one of the festival's very own veterans H.E. Ambassador Ion Jinga, a most formidable act by the JROTC Cadet Regiment, and a special appearance by the next US ambassador nominee to Romania was also made. A noteworthy spiritual moment by the Romanian Churches of New York followed, after which a few inspiring messages were read from the offices of H.E. Timothy Cardinal Dolan and NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

The day’s favorable weather conditions also added to the magnitude of this year’s event, bringing with it a record number of Romanians and Americans from all over the US, and tourists from over 100 different countries. All told, more than 27,000 participants took part in the festival, making this year’s 20th anniversary edition of the Romania Day Festival on Broadway a resounding success.

Partners

Note from the Producer

Stefan Minovici "I have created this special event for the people and the country where I was born and grew up in order to honor the memory of our ancestors and my beloved Romania and compatriots.

Our Twentieth Anniversary Edition represents a special celebration of two decades of accomplishments and remarkable strides between our communities in the United States and Canada. We started our First Edition of the Festival in the year 2000 with King Michael and Queen Ana of Romania presiding over our Diaspora and many New Yorkers. We had Ilie Nastase play tennis on the asphalt of Wall Street, and then Mayor Rudy Giuliani give us his blessings and approval for our historic accomplishment. Since that day in 2000, the bond between our two nations has become exceptionally strong as Romania joined NATO and the EU as a respected member.

Today the Festival is organized and managed by the Romanian American Business Council — RABC — and continues to inspire by motivating, developing, educating and cherishing the best that our world has to offer from values and traditions to opportunities and achievements.

Welcome back to our XX Edition of the Romanian Day on Broadway Festival and thank you for joining us! Together we will celebrate twenty-years of strength and unity in the Financial District, from Broadway and Wall Street to the Bowling Green Park.

I am humbled and honored by your continuous and unabated support and remain eternally grateful to Romanians all over the world for placing their trust and faith in our Romanian American Business Council.”

Location

Broadway, New York
Liberty Street to Battery Park / Bowling Green Plaza

Contact

USA

Sana Cornetti
45 Broadway, Suite 2200,
New York
sana.cornetti@rabcus.org
Phone: +1 212-668-0400

ROMANIA

Liliana Balici
Phone: +40 722 398.894

Romania Day Festival

Guests of Honor

His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan

“Dear Friends in the Lord,
It is a joy to greet you as you gather for the Twentieth Anniversary Romania Day Festival. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to everyone gathered here in New York City, as well as those joining us in spirit.
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to bring together this day, dedicated to sharing Romanian music, arts, culture, and traditions. Today we celebrate the bond between America and Romania, and recognize the accomplishments and contribution of Romanians, not just to New York, but to the whole world.” More »
May 2019

Hon. Joe Wilson
Congressman (R-SC)

“I would like to extend my congratulations on this Centennial Anniversary of Romania to all of you who are celebrating at the 2018 Romanian Day on Broadway Festival in New York City.
I especially appreciate the leadership and efforts of Mr. Stefan Minovici and the Romanian American Business Council to organize this commemorative event. It is an honor to represent the people of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. Please accept my best wishes as you celebrate Romania’s Centennial!”
May 2018

Hon. Daniel Lipinski
Congressman (D-Ill)
Co-Chair of the Romanian Caucus
in the US Congress

"I would like to extend my warmest regards and greetings to you all as you celebrate the Romanian Day Festival on Broadway. I wish you a celebratory and festive day recognizing the culture and achievements of Romania….I am honored to have joined my friend and colleague Congressman Mike Turner as the co-chair of the Romanian Caucus of the U.S. Congress. I commend Ștefan Minovici, the Romanian American Business Council and all of you on your energy and spirit in celebrating the Romania Day Festival today."
May 2017

Kirsten Gillibrand
Senator (D-NY)

"From George Enesco's Rhapsodies to Nobel Laurate Eli Wiesel's powerful works to the Romanian Film festival, the Romanian Community has made and continues to make significant contributions to our state. I want to thank Stefan Minovici for his leadership in bringing together this event and giving us the opportunity to lean about and celebrate Romania's rich cultural history. "
May 2016

H.E. Romanian Ambasador
George Maior

"I am honored to be here and celebrate with you all the 17th Day of Romania on Broadway Festival. The main reason for me being here is to recognize and salute the substantial role of the Romanian- American community to the long and solid diplomatic, politic and cultural relationships Romania has succeeded to build with the United States."
May 2016

Hon. Mike Turner,
Congressman (R-OH)
Co-Chair of the Romanian Caucus
in the US Congress

"It is a great pleasure to
join you today on the XVI Edition of the Romania Day Festival, and to reiterate our full support for your government and the people of Romania in the United States Congress. I am impressed with Stefan's love and passion for Romania and its people, and I commend him for this remarkable accomplishment."
May 2015

Hon. Loretta Sanchez
Congresswoman (D-CA),
Co-Chair Romanian Caucus

"Romania is the most important U.S. ally in the Black Sea region, a proud country that has shown its true spirit and values over the last century in the relationship with its American friend and partner. I am delighted to be part of the XV Edition of the Romanian Day Festival on Broadway and want to thank its organizers, particularly to Stefan Minovici for this major effort and accomplishment."
June 2014

Gen. Wesley Clark - Commander of NATO Forces in Europe
(1993 – 1997)

You are a true inspiration to Romanians all over the world and the Romania Day Festival helps bring this NATO friend and ally closer to the American hearts and minds.
May 2012

David Paterson
- Governor of the
State of New York
(2008 – 2010)

I declare May 1st the National Day of Romania, and the month of May, the month of Romanian Heritage in the State of New York.
May 2010

Michael R. Bloomberg -
Mayor New York City
(2002 – 2013)

I want to thank MIC & Associates and Ziua Romania pe Broadway for their help and support in organizing this Festival, a unique celebration of Romanians
all over the world in the capital of the world, New York City. May 2009

Rudolf Giuliani
- Mayor New York City
(1994 – 2001)

This unique event is a remarkable accomplishment of the Romanians all over America and a testimony of your nation's strength and commitment to the special relationship between the two countries.
May 2006

Ion Iliescu
- President of Romania
(1992 -1996) &
(2000 – 2004)

It is a real honor and a pleasure to attend your event and be here among the wonderful Romanian-American people.
Thank you for your kind invitation and for remarkable work Mr. Minovici.
May 2002

Emil Constantinescu - President of Romania (1996 – 2000)

A real accomplishment and
a major event for Romanians in the United States. On behalf of my government, I want to thank all of those who organized this Festival, especially to Mr. Minovici.
May 2001

H.M. King Michael I
of Romania

I want to thank Mr. Minovici for his support and dedication and especially for making this very special event happen. My family and I are deeply grateful for your initiative and accomplishments. Long live Romania Day Festival on Broadway!
May 2000