Today, we celebrate 175 years since the birth of poet Mihai Eminescu. As a profound expression of gratitude for his immeasurable contribution to both the national and universal cultural heritage, the year 2025 has been declared ‘The Year of Eminescu,’ an initiative led by the Romanian Academy and the Academy of Sciences of Moldova.

National Culture Day finds us at a crossroads for Romania’s future. I trust that culture will play an essential role in building this future, one defined by balance and prosperity. We are in a period marked by reflection on how we want our country to evolve, its commitments to the European ideal, its partners and allies in the European and Euro-Atlantic space, and, most importantly, its obligations to younger generations. Political decisions must, therefore, align with the collective aspiration for a society rooted in authentic values, performance, integrity, education, and responsibility.

‘To gauge a nation’s general culture, one must see who its idols are,’ said Mihai Eminescu. In the spirit of this reflection from the man who elevated Romanian culture to its highest heights, we must consider the models we wish to follow and the messages we aim to pass on to young people. Mihai Eminescu belonged to an era where culture represented truth, freedom, sacrifice, loyalty, and duty—a generation that transformed culture into a shield against extremism, xenophobia, and incitement to hatred and violence.

Culture is fundamental to the development of a nation because it defines the hierarchy of values that guide society and shape the destinies of its citizens. Academic culture and participatory democracy are equally essential to fostering dialogue, knowledge, and cooperation between institutions and people. Thanks to the ideals expressed by Romanian cultural elites, our country was able to rise after the war, achieving unity and state modernization, enduring decades of dictatorship and totalitarianism, and regaining its place in Europe with dignity and freedom. In the founding and decisive moments of national history, culture has inspired solidarity among the entire population to achieve vital projects for Romania.

Despite inevitable challenges, Romania has valuable human resources, a globally recognized creative potential, and a remarkable legacy of intercultural dialogue and peaceful coexistence in a space rich with cultural diversity. In our country, culture embodies the synthesis of everything shared, cultivated, and transmitted over generations by various ethnic and linguistic communities, illustrating the European principle of unity in diversity.

Mihai Eminescu achieved in poetry what George Enescu achieved in music: anchoring Romanian identity within the horizon of universal values, giving our culture a broad openness and self-awareness in dialogue with European and global cultures. The events dedicated to ‘The Year of Eminescu’ will undoubtedly showcase that Mihai Eminescu was ‘the unparalleled poet whose work transcends time’ and a lucid patriot who believed in the destiny of the Romanian nation and its historical mission. Following his example, cultural figures, public institutions, creators, and cultural operators must unite today to make culture a competitive and relevant reference point, a pillar of national rebirth, and a resilient force in shaping Romania’s future.

Wishing a prosperous future to national culture and its creators!