UK Ambassador Attends Private Viewing of Lee Miller Exhibition at The King’s House in Viscri
His Excellency Mr. Giles Portman, British Ambassador to Romania, attended a private viewing of the landmark Lee Miller’s Romania exhibition at The King’s House in Viscri. The exhibition marks the largest show ever dedicated to Lee Miller in Romania and presents a striking visual journey through the country as seen by the legendary photographer and surrealist artist during her visits in 1938 and 1946.
Ambassador Portman addressed the audience gathered for the event and delivered a personal message on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III. The King conveyed his warm greetings to all those in attendance and shared his appreciation for the historic photographs of Romania, taken nearly nine decades ago by Lee Miller and her husband Roland Penrose. His Majesty also praised the work of Romanian volunteers and craftsmen dedicated to preserving Saxon heritage architecture, particularly the current restoration of the fortified church in Roadeș.
“It was a true honour to deliver His Majesty The King’s message in this deeply meaningful setting,” said Ambassador Giles Portman. “To see so many people gathered here—artists, conservationists, journalists, cultural leaders—united by shared values and a deep appreciation for Transylvania, is a powerful reflection of His Majesty’s own long-standing commitment to heritage and nature preservation. Lee Miller’s photography, displayed so thoughtfully here at The King’s House, bridges past and present, Romania and the UK, in a way that speaks to all of us.”
The event brought together prominent figures from Romania’s cultural, civic, and artistic communities. Among the guests were William Blacker, writer and heritage activist; Lucie Portman, wife of the British Ambassador; Eugen Vaida, director of The King’s Foundation in Romania and founder of Ambulance for Monuments, a pioneering initiative to save endangered heritage buildings; Ioana Moldovan, a leading voice in contemporary Romanian photojournalism, known for her powerful documentation of conflict zones and social issues; Nat Page, president of the ADEPT Foundation, which protects biodiversity and supports traditional farming and rural communities in Transylvania; Caroline Fernolend, president of the Mihai Eminescu Trust, an organization instrumental in preserving Romania’s vernacular heritage and revitalizing rural communities; and Charlie Ottley, the British filmmaker and advocate for Romania’s natural landscapes. Ioana Moldovan’s speech during the event offered a poignant link between Miller’s legacy and the ongoing work of women photographers who continue to bear witness to history.
Raluca Grigore, curator of the exhibition and manager of The King’s House, remarked: “It moved me deeply to see such a diverse gathering here tonight—photographers, artists, journalists, cultural figures, entrepreneurs, and environmental advocates. This mix of worlds, I believe, is not only fascinating but fertile. I hope it plants the seeds of new friendships and future projects. We are honored that Viscri, at what many call ‘the end of the world’, can now be a part of the international map of exhibitions dedicated to this extraordinary artist and woman.”
The success of the event was made possible thanks to the support of generous sponsors, including Profi Romania, DM Drogerie Markt, Vertical Media, and William Parker, whose shared commitment to cultural heritage and artistic dialogue made the exhibition a reality.
Lee Miller’s Romania joins a remarkable international circuit of exhibitions dedicated to Miller’s legacy. Her photographs are currently on view in Munich, Barcelona and Antwerp, as well as in Florida and Egypt. This autumn, her work will be the focus of a major retrospective at Tate Britain, further cementing her status as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century.
The event also celebrated the extraordinary work of Ambulance for Monuments, a grassroots initiative focused on saving endangered heritage buildings across Romania. Many of the volunteers and craftsmen working on the restoration of the fortified church in Roadeș were present at the exhibition. Their dedication— with deep respect for traditional methods and often under difficult conditions—was warmly acknowledged by both King Charles III, in his letter, and the Ambassador during his speech. Witnessing the passion of young Romanians involved in such projects was highlighted as a source of hope for the future of Romania’s architectural heritage.
The evening concluded with a special open-air screening of Lee, the recent biographical film starring Kate Winslet as Lee Miller, offering guests an evocative cinematic portrayal of the artist’s extraordinary life and legacy.
The Lee Miller’s Romania exhibition is open to the public at The King’s House in Viscri until August 10th, 2025.
16.06.2025 / Editor, Andreea Dragan
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