RRA Special Guest: Israel's Ambassador to Romania David Saranga

Israel's Ambassador to Romania, David Saranga, has been today’s special guest of Radio Romania News Show ”10 o’clock Friends”. David Saranga is a career diplomat with experience in international relations. Before his arrival in Bucharest, His Excellency served as political advisor to the President of the State of Israel. David Saranga also was First Secretary of the Embassy of Israel in Bucharest.

Interview with David Saranga, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Romania

RADIO ROMANIA NEWS Producer: Daniela Mihai Soare and Ionuţ Dragu

Ionuţ Dragu: Today "10 o’clock Friends" is having an imaginary trip through Israel, along with Ambassador of the State of Israel to Romania, His Excellency David Saranga. Welcome to “10 o’clock Friends Club”!

David Saranga: Hello.

Ionuţ Dragu: Romania is the country where you started your diplomatic career, as far as I understand it, some years ago.

David Saranga: 20 years old, more than 20 years old!

Ionuţ Dragu: You came back this January for the position of Ambassador. How did you find Romania?

David Saranga: It's a different country, in a positive way. I see how people lives, I see how Bucharest looks, I see how the country looks, and I especially see the way Romanians think now, so I feel as though I am in a different country than I was then, but the positive things remained, it is that warmth, that friendship that has been, has existed and still exists.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Mr. Ambassador, we are happy to hear that. Let’s talk about the song you’ve heard earlier, Dana International Diva, one of your favorite songs. We dedicate it to you with all your love and friendship, it's a joy for us to be here together in the “10 o’clock Friends Club”; I would like to remind those at home that they can see you, because we are now live, and also on the Facebook page. They can also ask you questions by SMS 0748 8887766 or our Facebook page.

Ionuţ Dragu: In reference to that song, it has a story. Dana International won Eurovision in 1998 ...

Daniela Mihai Soare: You were here in Bucharest.

David Saranga: I was here in Bucharest and I remember that after we won I called a good friend of mine and I said "Did you see? Dana won, then next year we meet in Eurovision in Israel, but the interesting thing is that when Dana International represented Israel, the phenomenon – it was a new one - the fact that she was born as a man and became a woman and that she represented a state where the religious parties and the state sent Dana International to represent the State of Israel, this shows how open we are, how open is Israeli society and I think it has evolved ever since, but the fact that Dana International was the first to represent a country, the State of Israel, that is important.

Daniela Mihai Soare: True. In fact, I know that you are a fan of the Eurovision ...

David Saranga: I see you know everything.

Daniela Mihai Soare: I know everything. We have found out all of your secrets, Ambassador, you know, we have documented very well. And this year you have the Eurovision at home, right?

David Saranga: Yes, we have Eurovision at home, after Netta won last year.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Yes.

David Saranga: Eurovision is a phenomenon, but not only in Israel, I think in other countries as well.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Sure! We too are caught up and we have closely watched the competition. We have found out our winner some time ago.

David Saranga: That's right. And I hope that this year we will hear many times or many times: Romania douze points, Romania - twelve points /...//

Daniela Mihai Soare: God help us! Do you know that this is what the Romanians say: God help! So be it!

David Saranga: He'll help, He'll help!

Daniela Mihai Soare: Will you go.... Where will you see it? Are you going out on the street, will you enjoy it, will you watch the contest at home?

David Saranga: I hope to be there in the concert hall.

Daniela Mihai Soare: In the concert hall!?

David Saranga: In the hall, during Eurovision.

Daniela Mihai Soare: You are lucky and happy at the same time!

David Saranga: Thank you!

Ionuţ Dragu: Although many years have passed since you left Romania, you have not forgotten our language. You have learned Romanian in just a few months.

David Saranga: I’m still not too fluent. /.../

Ionuţ Dragu: Yes, many foreigners say they have difficulty with the Romanian language.

David Saranga: I can understand why. Yes, it's not a simple language, especially since I have not spoken Romanian for 20 years after I left, but I hope that in the next couple of months I will not come back here in the studio ...

Daniela Mihai Soare: We are waiting for you!

David Saranga: And I hope I will get fluent in Romanian.

Daniela Mihai Soare: We are convinced of this, Mr. Ambassador! We have friends who follow us on Facebook and have questions for you. I would like to keep in mind a question I got 10 minutes ago from a listener who asks you, Ambassador, what your name means?

David Saranga: The origin of my name is from Spain. In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain, and the Jews who left Spain and arrived in other places in Europe continued to speak Spanish. Since then, it is the language Cervantes has spoken, as well as the Spanish language today...

Daniela Mihai Soare: I understand!

David Saranga: ... is called Ladino. This is the name of this language, it is a language, a dialect of Spanish, and we at home ... This is the language I have spoken ... with my grandparents, /.../ Jews who lived in the Balkans. The Jews spoke the language spoken where they were born and where they lived, and Ladino. They addressed themselves in Ladino and at home, with my grandparents, my parents, that is the language I spoke, so the origin of my name is Spanish.

Host: I hope our listener is happy with your response. When you were appointed Ambassador and you arrived here, you entered your way in a rather interesting way, through a short video in which you spoke a perfect language and you greeted the Romanians and it just stayed with me ...

David Saranga: I practiced before.

Host: You have practiced ... and you know that the words 'Romania is in my heart' stayed with me and I am also convinced that there are a lot of people, lots of places you have kept there in your heart. What impresses you most, here in Romania?

David Saranga: As I told you, I have never separated from Romania. I have memories, friends. The things I love here in Romania and I enjoyed at that time too are the people, the very warm people, people who are very friendly and that I think is a great advantage and that is something similar to Israel, Israeli society which is very open, very warm. So this combination seems to be a very good one.

Host: On a cultural level, Romania-Israel collaboration is a good one, a very good one at the Book Fairs, writers from Israel are among guests of honor. Film and Theater Festival is also organized. How does the Jewish community in Romania perceive the Romanian state?

David Saranga: I believe that this connection between the Jewish community here in Romania and the Romanian state is an example for other countries, here in Europe, the way the Romanian Government, the Romanian state, embraces the Jewish community here - and when I speak with community leaders Romania and I see how well they feel here - I think this can be an example for other countries, because today, as we know, we live in a more difficult time, so to speak, in Europe. We see all sorts of anti-Semitic, xenophobic, intolerant actions and the fact that here in Romania the situation is different, the fact that here in Romania the Government is fighting anti-Semitism, the fact that the Government does all sorts of activities, that is something that we can say that we, as Jews, are very pleased.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Mr. Ambassador, we are trying to read some of the messages our listeners are sending to our Facebook page. Someone is asking you to say more about the economic collaboration between Romania and the State of Israel. Earlier, you have really appreciated the similarities between the Romanian people and the Israeli people. I suspect that economic relations are now developing, especially in high tech, where Israel is shining and I would like you to give us some details if you have any.

David Saranga: I believe that economic and trade exchange between Israel and Romania that exists at the moment is not enough. The potential is much higher than we see in reality, and this is one of my goals, one of the aims of the Embassy of Israel in Bucharest, to see how we can improve, how we can increase these exchanges and, of course, one of the areas in which we can work together, one of the areas in which Israel is a highly developed country is high tech and start-up and the fact that Israel is a kind of Silicon Valley in the Middle East, which is only two and a half hours from Bucharest, this is something that can help us very much. We at the Embassy had some initiatives in this high-tech field, and in this start-up area, I brought some businessmen from Israel, some such students, to work with students from Politehnica from here, and the goal is to see, after a few months they will work together, what are the results.

Daniela Mihai Soare: I understand. Ambassador, how is life in Tel Aviv? I know it's your city of soul.

David Saranga: The best that can be.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Is it the most beautiful place in the world?

David Saranga: I do not know if it is the most beautiful place in the world.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Do you know why I'm telling you this? Because people generally say that the most beautiful place in the world is where they live, at home.

David Saranga: I'm more objective. And even if I like Tel Aviv, I do not think it's the nicest place in the world. Jerusalem is more beautiful, for example. It is a nicer city, but Tel Aviv has something else that is not found elsewhere in the world. It is life, it is a place that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the middle of the night if someone walks in the city is as if it is in the middle of the day; there are bars, restaurants, cafes, it's nightlife.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Parties.

David Saranga: Party, there is a constant party over there.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Tel Aviv.

David Saranga: In Tel Aviv, it is. This is a unique thing for Israel, and yes, there are cities with more beautiful buildings, there are cities with more beautiful beaches, but the combination of this rich and party life, and the result of this combination, is very positive.

Daniela Mihai Soare: I understand. And in your free time what do you do?

David Saranga: Where, here?

Daniela Mihai Soare: Here, there. Because I'm sure people want to know as much as possible. When you say the word diplomat sometimes you think he's an intangible person ...

David Saranga: It's just an impression.

Daniela Mihai Soare: ... different from all other people.

David Saranga: It's like every person. During my free time here I like to go to the theater, you have one of the best I have seen, and I have seen a lot. I like to go to the opera, I like to meet friends; as I told you, I have friends here, and I go to Tel Aviv very often because I have a five-year-old.

Daniela Mihai Soare: We wish you five-year-old to live a long and happy life!

David Saranga: Thank you. My child remained in Tel Aviv and I want to keep this close connection that we have, so I often go to Tel Aviv.

Ionuţ Dragu: And considering the time you have spent in Romania, can we say that you are already accommodated with our traditional cuisine?

David Saranga: Of course. Accommodated? I'm used to it, that's what I eat.

Ionuţ Dragu: What do you like most about?

Daniela Mihai Soare: Cheese pancakes (Papaşi).

David Saranga: I'm sure you've searched my Instagram page.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Didn’t I tell you that I know all your secrets? You did not believe me. I’m joking

David Saranga: And you have seen that I like cheese pancakes, right? I do, but I like the Romanian cuisine, ever since I got here this is what I usually eat and I like it.

Ionuţ Dragu: What do you miss from Tel Aviv cuisine?

David Saranga: I think I have to say humus or falafel, but if you can keep a secret, I prefer Romanian cuisine.

Daniela Mihai Soare: You have also tried other types of dishes here and it is very good that you did so.

David Saranga: That's the part of what a diplomat does, what a diplomat likes. A diplomat likes to know a new culture, learn a new language, that's why I became a diplomat, to see another way of life, and so when one diplomat arrives in a foreign country, in my case Romania is not a foreign country, he wants to know the most areas of life that exist.

Daniela Mihai Soare: From your point of view, what is the correct definition of the diplomat? Because, as I said earlier, maybe people look at diplomats as ...

David Saranga: There are all kinds of diplomats in our world, but as I think, the diplomat is a person who knows how to talk to each person in a way that can ultimately be a human relationship between people, because to the end only human bond is the thing that matters in our lives. There is the professional link, true, but if one wants in a real way to be linked to another person, to another culture, then this human bond is important.

Ionuţ Dragu: And you are still passionate about photography, from what I understand and how important is photography in diplomatic life.

David Saranga: I do not know in diplomatic life, I can talk about my life, because when I started to be on Facebook or on Instagram, people at our Ministry in Jerusalem looked and said 'what does this diplomat do on Facebook? ' I explained in Jerusalem at the Ministry that a diplomat has to talk to everyone and if the new generation or young generation is on Facebook and I want to connect with this generation, I have to be where they are and I need to speak their language. It's been a while, and then it became compulsory for all the diplomats at the Foreign Ministry to open a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and if they want, they can have a Instagram page too. But the idea is that sometimes somebody is doing something, and the world around them does not understand why, but then the world understands that this is the most correct way or the most effective way to convey a message.

Ionuţ Dragu: And as a photographer, I'm sure you have a favorite place that you always go.

David Saranga: Yes. Each month I go take photographs at the seaside in Tel Aviv.

Daniela Mihai Soare: I think the sea calms you, doesn’t it?

David Saranga: Depends on the year, depends on the weather ...

Daniela Mihai Soare: The season.

David Saranga: The season. For example, I really like to see the sea in winter. It looks different. It's very wild. But each season has its beauty.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Speaking of photography, right now you are being taken photos. You will see them on our Facebook page and on our website www.romaniactualitati.ro.

David Saranga: Then I'll take this down, right?

Daniela Mihai Soare: Yes, let's look good. Plus you're a music fan and you like the music of the '70s,' 80s - Abba, Queen - one of the listeners ...

David Saranga: I’m still there in the 1980s. When we talk about music I'm still in the '80s,' 90s ...

Daniela Mihai Soare: Then our surprise is just the right one. For the end of our interview, we have prepared a Queen song. But before listening to this song, I would like you to provide an answer or another listener who asks you: what Romanian artists does the Ambassador like? Listener’s name is Ioana.

David Saranga: Maia Morgenstern.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Indeed a great actress.

David Saranga: Great actress Maia Morgenstern, whom I have met more than 20 years ago, and now, when I see Maia Morgenstern playing in movies, I can feel that sensation one has when seeing a great actor.

Daniela Mihai Soare: Thank you so much. We're so sorry it's over now ...

David Saranga: Is it over?

Daniela Mihai Soare: Today's meeting is over, but this is one more reason to invite you next time, another day, you choose it, we always look forward to having you here in the ”10 o’clock Friends” show. We offer you this music gift with all our love and friendship. We wish you great success and we wish you to be healthy, that is all that matters most.

David Saranga: Thank you.

Daniela Mihai Soare: All the best.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei