Romania Hits Broadway

On Sunday, May 14th, 2017, the 18th Annual Romania Day on Broadway Festival took place. This annual celebration of the Romanian community in America is created and produced by Stefan Minovici, with partners including the Romanian American Business Council, Institutul Cultural Roman, Fratii Minovici and Guvernul Romaniei, among others. With performances by Maria Tanase Ensemble from Dolj County and renowned singers like George Rotaru, Gheorghe Gheorghiu , Valeria Arnautu, Ciprian Cocalias, this event was a star-studded musical celebration of Romania. There was also plenty of food to fuel the action: the smell of fresh mititei and warm placinta permeated the air as people crowded around various food stands. The stalls were packed with vendors selling clothes, art, and other Romanian products along with many stands featuring local organizations taking part in the festivities. Not even the little bit of rain that day could cloud the vibrant display of cultural pride and appreciation. Both Romanians and Non-Romanians gathered to dance, eat, chat, and enjoy traditional Romanian culture.

Welcoming Message and Awards Ceremony

The official opening of the Festival and the welcoming message was given by creator and producer Stefan Minovici, Cons. Gen. Ioana Costache, Amb. Ion Jinga, Mayor's Bill de Blasio's Office Representative, and Mihaela Istrate of the Romanian Cultural Institute. The award for The Best Romanian American Business Person was presented to Mike Chiriac and The Most Valuable RABC Member to Valentin Pipa. Messages from Hon. Daniel Lipinski Congressman (D-Ill), Co-Chair of the Romanian Caucus in the US Congress and H.E. Romanian Ambasador George Maior.

Performances

It was impossible to sit still at this lively event where every region of Romania was represented. Everywhere you turned, dancers in classic costumes were kicking their feet up to the sounds of traditional and contemporary music from Transylvania, Moldova, Banat, and many other places. The musical performers and dancers, some of whom travelled all the way from Romania, made this event extra special by bringing a piece of their country to the streets of New York.