About the Festival

Despite initial unfavorable weather predictions, Romanians and New Yorkers attended the event in record numbers alongside an astounding crowd of tourists from over one hundred countries. The audience celebrated amidst what turned out to be a bright and sunny Sunday. The special edition of the XIX Festival was honored by the presence of H.E. George Cristian Maior, Romanian Ambassador to Washington DC, as well as by Rep. Joe Wilson (R- SC) and H.E. Ion Jinga, Romanian Ambassador to the UN, both of whom joyfully took part in the dinner gala that same evening.

The festival was followed by the awards ceremony where the title of Best Romanian Diplomat in the US was awarded to H.E. George Cristian Maior. Mr. Major was our envoy to Washington DC, a devoted civil servant who has worked tirelessly at bettering relations between the United States and Romania, strengthening the NATO partnership, and improving the relationship between our diaspora and the Washington elite. Mr. Maior thanked the organizers and vowed to continue his efforts to serve his nation and all the people of Romania.

George Naghiu was another award recipient, and was recognized as the Best RABC Member. Known for his title as Managing Director in Cluj Napoca, he contributed enormously to the success of RABC’s growth in Romania and also provided generous funding for the Romania Day event.

The XVIII Edition of the Romanian Day Festival on Broadway took place on Sunday May 14th, amidst beautiful weather and a record audience. Two of our board members were rewarded The Best Romanian American Business Person and The Most Valuable RABC Member. Mike Chiriac and respectively Valentin Pipa, were honored for their strong commitment, dedication and support for our organization. According to the Mayor’s Office over 24,000 people attended the event that day. The Festival was endorsed by the messages from Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill) H.E. George Maior, Romanian ambassador to Washington DC, NY’s Mayor Bill de Blasio’s, General Consul of Romania in New York Ioana Costache and especially by the presence of the ambassador Ion Jinga.

The event benefited by the participation of Maria Tanase Ensemble from Dolj County and renowned singers like George Rotaru, Gheorghe Gheorghiu , Valeria Arnautu, Ciprian Cocalia and others.

Held in the world-famous Financial District on Sunday, May 15 – amidst challenging weather and chilly temperatures, the XVII Edition of the Romania Day Festival brought as always an abundance of authenticity of Romanian culture and traditions for Romanian-Americans, our Diaspora and the world.

Messages from the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis and NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) were read by their representatives. Among the participating officials were, H.E. Dr. Ion Jinga – Romanian Ambassador to the United Nations, Honorable Ioana Costache, Romanian Consul General in New York, Mr. Liviu Jicman, vice president of the Romanian Cultural Institute.

For the first time in the history of the Festival – special awards were presented in recognition of exceptional contribution to the success of the event.

Romania is a country alive with spellbinding music, delicious food and charming traditions. Only one place transports this culture outside the country’s borders as authentically as the Romania Day Festival in New York City, the melting pot of the world. Held in the world-famous Financial District, the heart of Lower Manhattan on Broadway on Sunday, May 10, 2015, the Romania Day Festival brought an abundance of authenticity of the Romanian culture and tradition for Romanian-Americans, Romanians and the diaspora.

This year marked the Sixteenth Edition of the festival. Annually, it averages 25,000 visitors from New York and abroad, and this year was no exception. An extra treat at this year was its alignment with Mother’s Day and, throughout the day, delighted mothers were enjoying the warm weather with their families, visiting the multitudes of vendors selling homemade goods from Romania and traditional food.

Honorable Mike Turner, Congressman from Ohio (R) and co-chair of the Romanian Caucus, was the keynote speaker. Other officials included H.E. Florin Angelo Florian, Romanian Ambassador to Santiago, Chile, H.E. Vlad Lupan, Moldovan Ambassador to the UN and Honorable Ioana Costache, Consul General of Romania in New York. Mayor of New York Bill De Blasio, although unable to attend, sent a letter commemorating the ongoing efforts of the Romanian American Chamber of Commerce and the Romanian-American community for their contributions to the United States and the diaspora.

Special thanks to the team at MIC & Associates: Despina Teodorescu, Miroslav Nemelivsky, Kateryna Bakhnak and Diana Antonescu.

Official Invitees and Participants at the 2015 Romania on Broadway Festival:

Keynote Speaker — Congressman Mike Turner

Honorable Bill de Blasio — Mayor, New York City (invited)

H.E. Iulian Buga — Romanian Ambassador to Washington DC

H.E. Simona Miculescu — Romanian Ambassador to the UN

H.E. Florin Angelo Florian — Romanian Ambassador to Santiago, Chile

H.E. Vlad Lupan — Moldovan Ambassador to the UN

Honorable Ioana Costache — Consul General of Romania in New York

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 all enjoyed the best our country had to offer to America and the World at large.

Among the American officials who were in attendance at the last edition was Honorable Loretta Sanchez (D) Congresswoman from California, the co-chair of the Romanian Caucus and the keynote speaker of the Festival. Romanian Minister Delegate of the Diaspora, Bogdan Stanoevici and the Romanian Ambassador to Washington DC, H.E. Iulian Buga also joined us on Sunday, as well as H.E. Simona Miculescu, ambassador and the Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations.

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 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.

MIC & Associates and “Fratii Minovici” Cultural Foundation organized the Twelfth Edition of the Romania Day Festival on legendary Broadway. On Sunday, May 16th 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.

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.

2009 – The anniversary edition, the Tenth, broke the participation record and culminated with a week of events dedicated to Romania’s industry. A large group of Romanian defense, energy and infrastructure entities from Romania met with leaders of the American financial and investment groups.

Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of New York City and Professor Robert Engle, Nobel laureate for Economy, General Constantin Degeratu, Romanian State Secretary for Defense and National Security and Prince Paul of Romania and Princess Lia were the guests of honor to the event.

Over 20,000 people attended the one day festivity and a seven hours marathon-concert of George Rotaru, Lia Lungu, Marilena Dobre and a dancing performance of Banatul Group.

2008 – Romanian day on USA, the most popular and widely circulated Romanian-American weekly, along with its organizational team is delighted to invited all Romanian-Americans on the tri-state area to participate in the Ninth Edition of the Romania Broadway Festival in New York.

What became a tradition eight years ago brought again to the most renowned street in the world, true and significant Romanian values from music, dance, folk costumes, traditions, and cuisine. The event, as always, reunited the famous and the ordinary folks from all over the world, form the Diaspora and beyond. The organizers did their best to ensure that the 2008 edition of the Festival rise to the expectations and standards of the sponsors.

The 2008 edition was televised live and its exposure greatly helped the participants, the sponsors and all Romanian projects and opportunities presented during the Economic Forum that preceded the event.

2007 – The Eight Edition of the Romania Festival Broadway in New York took place on Saturday, May 5th 2007. For just as many times 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, 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. Such names are: “De La Vegas” duet (Romania), folk music singer Lia Lungu (USA), Emil Bazga Jazz Quartet (SUA), Marilena Dore (SUA), Sanziana & Ani Stanciu (SUA), the band Indigo (Romania), TV presenters Mihaela Craciun (Romania) and Cosmin Chivu (USA). 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.

Romanian Ambassador to the UN, Mihnea Motoc, the Romanian Consul General in New York, Pietro Pavoni, as well as official representatives on behalf of Mayor Michael Bloomberg took part in the event as official guests.

2006 – At the 2006 edition, Eurovision second place winners Akcent, singers Nico and George Rotaru, together with famed dancing folk group Banatul, entertained the audience for over eight hours. Romanian ambassador to Washington, Sorin Ducaru and Mihnea Motoc, the Romanian ambassador to the UN, participated in this event together with the Secretary of Labor, Mr. Gheorghe Barbu and the Hon. Pietro Pavoni – Consul General of Romania in New York and Mayor Bloomberg’s representatives Terry Jackson and Elizabeth Daly.

2005 – At the 2005 Edition, the live TV transmission was extended to four continents and a two-hour long broadcast. Singers Andra, Nicola and George Rotaru, together with famed dancing folk group Banatul, entertained the audience for over eight hours. The Romanian ambassador to Washington, Sorin Ducaru and Mihnea Motoc, the Romanian ambassador to the United Nations participated in this event together with Romanian State Secretary Mihai Naumescu and Mayor Bloomberg’s representative Linda Grass. Raytheon’s director for Israel, John Miller was the highest ranking sponsor in attendance for the event.

2004 – This edition brought the first live TV coverage of this type of event from the Romanian Diaspora. The live coverage was possible due to a partnership with the Romanian National Television – TVR. Among the stars participating were Monica Anghel, Nicola and her band, and renowned panflutist Nicolae Voiculet.

2003 – At the fourth edition of the Romania Day Festival in 2003 were present Simona Miculescu, senior presidential adviser, Mircea Geoana, Romanian foreign minister, Dan Matei Agaton Tourism minister and Romanian ambassador to the Washington, Sorin Ducaru.

2002 – The third edition of the Romania Day Festival took place on Water Street, and was honored by the presence of President Ion Iliescu of Romania, Daniela Bartos, Minister of Health, Ecaterina Andronescu, Minister of Education, Sorin Ducaru, Romanian Ambassador to Washington, DC and the United Nations. Romania’s number one sports figure, Gheorghe Hagi and two well-known pop groups contributed to the success of the event.

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.

2000 – Among the guests of honor who took part in the first Romanian Festival organized in New York in 2000 were His Majesty 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 Nastase and Dumitru Haradau, Romanian diplomats and politicians Sorin Ducaru, Ion Gorita, Mircea Geoana, former ambassador to Washington and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Linda Grass, representative of Mayor Giuliani and other officials.