30 years since 1989 Revolution in Romania

Several events took place over the past few days across Romania, to mark 30 years since 1989 Revolution. Exhibitions, religious and military ceremonies have been organized in Bucharest - at Memorial of Rebirth, the Shrine of the Fallen Heroes at TVR headquarters - and all major cities.

Government commemorated these events at the Romanian Athenaeum, with a ceremony called "30 years of freedom", represented by a photography exhibition dedicated to the heroes of the Romanian Revolution, followed by a symphonic music concert.

On Saturday, President Klaus Iohannis laid a wreath at the Troita monument in the Universitate Square, in honoring the memory of the victims of the 1989 Revolution. Head of State also kept a moment of silence.

On Sunday evening, hundreds of people marched on the streets of Bucharest, from Victoriei Square to the University Square, to commemorate the Revolution of December 1989.

President Klaus Iohannis has stated at the Romanian Athenaeum on Sunday that the culprits of the Revolution of December 1989 must be brought to justice and called on all Romanians to "speak loud and clear about the Revolution of December 1989".

European Parliament has adopted, last week - by 513 votes in favor, 18 against and 87 abstentions - a resolution on commemoration of 30 years since the Romanian Revolution (December 1989). Resolution states that Romanian state has unnecessarily delayed the process of clarifying the truth and making it publicly available, which is paramount to guaranteeing the right of the victims and their heirs to equitable compensation and reparation.

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Anti-communist revolution in Romania started in Timișoara, on 16 December 1989 and then rapidly spread to Bucharest on 21 December 1989. Protests took place all over the country. Headquarters of the Central Committee of the Communist Party was surrounded by tens of thousands of demonstrators. On December 22, 1989, dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was forced out of power. He and his wife were convicted of genocide and abuse of power, sentenced to death and executed on Christmas Day, 1989.

Revolution left more than 1,000 people dead and ended Ceaușescu's rule.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei