Romania’s National Day Celebrated at the Embassy of Romania in Canberra
By REVISTA EMOTII SI LUMINA, December 8, 2025
On December 5, 2025, the Embassy of Romania in Canberra hosted, at the headquarters of the diplomatic mission, a reception dedicated to celebrating Romania’s National Day. The event was attended by numerous representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia and the Australian Federal Government, as well as the Government of the Australian Capital Territory, members of the diplomatic corps, prominent figures from the cultural, academic, and business spheres of Canberra and Queensland, and members of the Romanian community in Australia.
In his official speech, H.E. the Ambassador of Romania to Australia, Mr. Radu Gabriel Safta, presented the significance of Romania’s National Day and highlighted the main milestones of the bilateral relationship with Australia in 2025. The head of the diplomatic mission also emphasized the importance of the presence at the event of distinguished personalities from the Romanian community, as well as Australian specialists with remarkable scientific and research activity in collaboration with Romania.
Mr. Steve Georganas, a prominent member of the Federal Parliament of Australia and of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade, delivered a laudatory speech, underlining the bilateral relations between Romania and Australia and the role of the Romanian community in strengthening Australia’s multicultural society.
On this occasion, Ambassador Radu Gabriel Safta nominated as Honorary Persons for their significant contributions in multiple fields—diplomatic, cultural, literary, scientific, and civic—the following personalities: Honorary Consul in Brisbane, Ciprian Popescu, Smaranda Kafka, writer, Anișoara Laura Mustețiu, writer, Lăcrămioara Popi, Carmen McWatt, Patrick De Dekker, author of The Belgica Expedition; and Mark Radford, CEO of the Queensland Eye Institute.
These nominations reflect not only individual achievements but also the power of collaboration between culture, diplomacy, literature, research, and civic engagement, becoming a symbol of respect and unity among nations.
The Ambassador of Romania to Australia, H.E. Mr. Radu Gabriel Safta, stands out through his constant involvement in supporting and promoting Romanian culture on the Australian continent. Through his diplomatic initiatives and support for the Romanian community, the ambassador contributes to preserving national identity and strengthening cultural ties between Romania and Australia. The importance of this role is profound: culture becomes a tool of dialogue and closeness between peoples, a means of mutual recognition and respect, and a new path through which Romania affirms its values and traditions internationally.
Other Celebrations
It is also worth mentioning the celebration of Romania’s National Day in Australia on November 29, 2025, organized by the Romanian Association Doina Queensland. The event took place in downtown Brisbane, the future host of the 2032 Olympic Games, bringing together numerous members of the Romanian community alongside officials of the state of Queensland and the city of Brisbane.
A Platform for Global Dialogue
The reception dedicated to Romania’s National Day in Canberra held special significance, going beyond the festive framework and becoming a true opportunity to strengthen international relations. The participation of diplomatic officials from various countries of the world, alongside representatives of the political, cultural, academic, and business spheres, transformed the event into a platform for global dialogue and cooperation. Such moments highlight the role of cultural diplomacy in bringing nations closer, promoting shared values, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties.
The gathering demonstrated that celebrating national identity can, at the same time, be an act of openness to the world, a gesture of mutual respect, and an opportunity to build lasting bridges between Romania and the international community.
Published by the Magazine Emotions and Light, Emotii si Lumina, International Cultural Magazine
Photo: Luminita Lenuta
