Romania celebrated its National Day on December 1. The day was even more important this year, as it also marked 100 years since the Great Union of 1918.

In Bucharest, the traditional military parade was organized at the Arch of Triumph, similar to previous years. Tens of thousands of people went to see the parade, which saw about 4,000 troops from Romania and from allied countries and more than 200 technical means passing under the Arch of Triumph. For the first time, the Air Forces opened the parade.

President Klaus Iohannis and former presidents Emil Constantinescu and Traian Basescu watched the parade from the official tribune, alongside prime minister Viorica Dancila, Chamber of Deputies speaker Liviu Dragnea, Senate speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu, members of the government, MPs, and other high officials.

President Iohannis was also present at the National Day celebrations in Alba Iulia, the city where the Great Union resolution was signed 100 years ago. Back then, the unification declaration was read during a public event attended by over 100,000 Romanians from villages throughout Transylvania. According to the local media, more than 100,000 people also went to see the military parade organized in the city on December 1 this year.

European Commissioner Corina Cretu and US ambassador Hans Klemm also attended the parade at Alba Iulia. A Great Union monument was also inaugurated in the city, while about 10,000 people participated in a march for the Unification of Romania and Moldova.

All major cities, and even the smaller ones, celebrated the National Day, with military parades or other events. Among them, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, Iasi, Timisoara, and Constanta.

Centenary celebration in Romania shadowed by protests against authorities

Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(opening photo: Fortele Aeriene Romane on Facebook - photo by Alexandru Helerea; inside photos:  MApN on Facebook - Sergiu Iosub, Armata Romaniei on FB - Laurențiu Turoi, Presidency.ro)