1 November: 89th Anniversary of Radio Romania

Radio Romania celebrates, today, 89 years since its first broadcast. On November 1, 1928, at 17:00, the Romanian Public Radio broadcasted for the first time, after the announcement "This is Radio Bucharest".

Today, Radio Romania is the most important media institution in the country, considering the number of its listeners who choose Radio Romania daily programs or get involved in the Radio campaigns or cultural projects.

President Director General of the Romanian Public Broadcasting Society, Georgică Severin, special guest today in the „Morning Call” („Apel Matinal”) Show: "Radio Romania is not only a public institution, it is not only, say, a tradition of 89 years old, it is a phenomenon, a cultural phenomenon, an educational phenomenon, it is, if you will, a phenomenon of what can be achieved when you want to, and especially when you want to put yourself in the service of those who listen to you, because our audiences, even if they have had fluctuations over time, remain constant".

„Today we can talk about Radio Romania as a broadcasting corporation that practically covers the entire country, the largest in Romania and one of the largest in Europe. So, we can say that these 89 years have led to a transformation, a survival, and, why not, a repositioning of the Public Radio in a modern world. Radio Romania must remain an important milestone, and as long as this depends on me and all Radio Radio employees, we will continue to work on this direction. I envision a future with Radio professionals as good as our predecessors!”

Romanian Minister of Culture, Lucian Romașcanu: „Happy Anniversary, Radio Romania! Continue your highly-engaged mission of informing the public! For me, Radio Romania has been a friend for many years, it is the Radio that delights my ears with quality music and quality information, it is the Radio I listen to while driving and I want to thank this institution and I want to spend many more years together”.

Radio Romania since the beginning to present days

“Radio Bucharest”, as the company was known when it started to broadcast, had only a few hours transmission each day, with news, dance and classical music or weather bulletins. Gradually, firset complex shows such as "Children's Hour", "Happy Hour", "Women's Hour" or "Music Chronicle". Since then, Radio live transmissions have spread across the country, with theater radio shows, concerts or sports events. Today, Romanian Public Radio means 9 national stations, a regional network of 10 stations, RADOR Press Agency, a Publishing House, 6 music bands, the Gaudeamus International Book Fair and RadiRo International Festivals.

Messages from abroad

Pascale Labrie, European Broadcasting Union (EBU, Geneva) Music Director: „On behalf of the European Broadcasting Union of Geneva, I want to wish Radio Romania a Happy Anniversary, on the occasion of its 89 years of existence! Radio Romania is a very active Member of the European Union of Broadcasters and has a lot to convey to the world: Romanian musical talents that impress the scenes from all over the country”.

Jawad Motaghi, secretary general of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU): „On behalf of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, I would like to congratulate Radio Romania for its 89 years in the service of the Romanian public. I congratulate Radio Romania for its ability to conquer the trust of Romanian listeners, and for its success in transmitting accurate, verifiable and transparent information, as well as quality entertainment shows addressed to the Romanian public. Also congratulations for being an audience leader in Romania!”

Events on the Day of Radio Romania

Radio Romania Chamber Orchestra celebrates Radio Day through a concert under the baton of Conductor Radu Popa, at 19,00 at the Radio Hall.

The Big Band Radio will hold a recital at Otopeni International Airport "Henri Coandă" (the new terminal), at 14,00.

Radio Romania Open Day: Radio Romania organizes today, same as every year on its Anniversary, an Open Day at its Headquarters in Bucharest. All those interested to visit Radio Romania studios and concert halls are expected the Temișana Street Entrance - between 10:00 and 16:00.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei