President Iohannis says Romania had to pass an important test in Centennial Year

"In the Centennial Year, Romania had to pass an important test and social peace was affected by a period of tensions which affected the referendum for the amendment of the Constitution. When social peace is disturbed, the entire society suffers. The debate around this referendum has been dominated by serious misinformation campaigns, in which hate speeches and even some with extremist accents have prevailed. Culture and education are the main ways through which we can protect ourselves against the virulent manipulation attempts. Only through education and appealing to culture we can become more tolerant in order to surpass, with wisdom and maturity, the attempts to divide the society," President Klaus Iohannis stated at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, where it was held the decoration ceremony of employees of the State Jewish Theater, film director Catalina Buzoianu and head of the Swiss Foundation for Pipe Organs of Romania Ernst Leonhardt. 

The head of state underscored that in 2018 Romania is celebrating 100 years of unity, and art has always been and will continue to be one of the main voices of the unity, which matures throughout generations in the conscience of a nation. 

In this context, the President added that the theater has certainly an important say when we are to reflect what being together means, passing on a valuable legacy and building, in its spirit, for the future. 

"The Jewish Theater, one of the most known and appreciated theaters of Romania celebrated 70 years of activity as a state-owned institution, on 1 August 2018. The Jewish Theater, a cultivator of the Yiddish language and culture has a much older tradition of over 142 years and it is tied to the name of the one who founded the first professional Jewish theater around the world, namely Avram Goldfaden. Romania cherishes the values of this culture, a proof being also the fact that under the law, 30 May became the Day of Yiddish Language and Theater. The decorations that I have bestowed upon you today on behalf of the Romanian state are a sign of appreciation for the history of the institution that you represent and which you dedicate to, with generosity and perseverance, your art and talent. I wish a long life to the State Jewish Theater, its remarkable actors and all those who serve it, by offering the audience some admirable pages of Jewish, classic and contemporary dramaturgy," Klaus Iohannis added. 

He then addressed director Catalina Buzoianu: "You gave a particularly special profile to the Romanian theater, as a director and professor. You have guided generations of young actors, encouraging them to find their vocation and pursue it, with faithfulness and professionalism. The force of imagination, the permanent search of authenticity, as well as you creative energy, doubled by a permanent exigency regarding your own theater are present in the special performances that you have given us throughout the years. I congratulate you for your entire career! It's not by chance that this years' National Theater Festival, which I awarded to the High Patronage is particularly honoring you." 

The decoration awarded by President Klaus Iohannis to Ernst Leonhardt, namely the Order of Cultural Merits, in rank of Officer marks 15 years of activity of Romania's Swiss Foundation for Pipe Organs. 

"Through your activity, carried out throughout almost 20 years in Romania, you stimulated the area of building and restoring pipe organs of Romania, an area that requires special training. Romania's Swiss Foundation for Pipe Organs, that you chair, has essentially contributed to the revival of this area, which has an essential role in preserving a cultural heritage of inestimable value," Klaus Iohannis stated. 

According to the President, the ceremony held at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace depicts Romania's involvement in the events of the European Year of Cultural Heritage. 

"I congratulate and wish you to serve with passion, many years from now, Romania's culture and the European cultural heritage! Art has a major contribution to a healthy social life, being the space for the free expression of the deepest and most authentic experiences. Through art, we can understand better that we can become more spiritually rich when accepting diversity," the head of state added.

AGERPRES