The Romanian Red Cross Gala, marking the 150th anniversary of the organisation's founding, took place on Thursday evening at the Romanian Athenaeum, in the presence of Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, and Prince Radu.
On the occasion, the Bucharest National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Jinga, gave a concert featuring soprano Irina Baiantt, tenors Alin Stoica, Florin Guzga, Andrei Fermesanu and Andrei Apreotesei, mezzo-soprano Andreea Dumitrache, singer Paula Seling and musician Alexandra Draghici, according to a press release published on the Romanian Royal Family's Facebook page.
During the event, the four presidents of the Romanian Red Cross over the past decades - His Eminence Archbishop Nifon of Targoviste, Honorary Metropolitan; Mihaela Geoana; Her Majesty the Custodian of the Crown; and Camelia Sucu - were awarded the 'Romanian Red Cross - 150 Years' Anniversary Medal.
The gala, hosted by TVR presenter Iuliana Tudor, ambassador of the Romanian Red Cross, was attended by Romanian Red Cross President Camelia Sucu, Director General Adrian Halpert, members of the Executive Committee, leaders of local branches and numerous volunteers. Former leaders of the organisation from the past three decades also attended.
Among the guests were the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Giampiero Gloder, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, together with the ambassadors of Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Italy and Greece accredited to Romania, representatives of Romanian state institutions, Red Cross societies from Greece, Turkey, Monaco, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, members of international organisations, supporters, and representatives of civil society and the media.
Founded on July 4, 1876, during the reign of Prince Carol I and Princess Elisabeth, the Romanian Red Cross is a humanitarian organisation and a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It serves as an auxiliary to the public authorities and is legally mandated to provide humanitarian assistance in the event of disasters and to support vulnerable people through voluntary and impartial services.
The organisation works to prevent and alleviate suffering in all its forms, protect health and life, and promote respect for human dignity without discrimination based on nationality, race, sex, religion, age, or social or political affiliation.
The Romanian Red Cross operates nationwide through 47 branches, an extensive network of local sub-branches and committees, and more than 8,300 volunteers.
Since 2022, the Romanian Red Cross has operated under the High Patronage of Her Majesty the Custodian of the Romanian Crown. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)
