When Brits who know Romania tell me this country and these Romanians have really got into their hearts, I know what they mean.
Though journalists shouldn’t become their story, after 35 years of living in Romania, with two Romanian daughters (and two Romanian husbands, one after another!) I completely know what they mean. British Ambassador Giles Portman is well on his way to becoming a champion of this country, as well as a dynamic servant of his own country. As His Majesty, King Charles III’s Ambassador in Bucharest, Mr. Portman is learning from one of the best of Romania’s friends.
Charlie Ottley has, for many years, served as the country’s principal cheerleader internationally and domestically, through his closely observed films of Romania’s culture, nature and landscapes.
He has also made my adopted country better known to all of us who live here, regularly topping the Netflix charts with ‘Flavours of Romania.’ Though not many in total, wherever you look, there are Brits quietly getting on helping us achieve our dreams, in NGOs, vineyards, historic railways, boutique industries, IT, energy production and in many other areas.
Former British Ambassador, Andrew Noble, has found an unusual means of bringing Great Britain and Romania closer by encouraging his home town’s community choir, Dorking Choral Society, to travel to Romania to show us how the islanders respond to the classical greats. Thanks to the Director Constantin Chiriac, DCS, as they call themselves, will be joining with fabulous Romanian soloists and musicians to perform Mozart’s Requiem in Sibiu’s Lutheran Cathedral on Sunday 22 June as part of the Sibiu International Drama Festival.
The singers from Surrey in southern England will also perform the same program in Brasov’s majestic Black Church on 19 June. “We’re showing what unites us in this short tour”, says Mr. Noble.
“We might come from different ends of Europe, but Brits and Romanians will sing together in Gothic churches like we could find at home, for expert audiences who share a love of Europe’s Grand Masters. Our choir is so happy to make this visit to a foreign place, though one that will feel like home in many respects and yet be exciting and fresh and full of opportunity.”
There’s something that draws Romanians and Brits together, not something I can put my finger on, but whatever it is, Romanian-British friendship is alive and thriving.
King Charles III tells of his love for Romania in emotional speech
