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Here is the full speech from the president:
Madam Minister,
Ruler Onorati,
Dear teachers,
Dear students,
Honor attendance,
I chose to open the academic year 2020-2021 together with the academic community of the National University of Theater and Cinematography “Ion Luca Caragiale”.
My choice is motivated by the well-deserved recognition your institution deserves. With a rich activity throughout its 70 years of existence, the institution has been a breeding ground for multiple generations of actors, directors, filmmakers and technicians in the performing arts.
Through its graduates, the National University of Theater and Cinematography has shaped Romania’s recent culture and channeled the creative effort of some personalities who have honored our country internationally.
As a sign of appreciation for this rich activity of the institution, we decided to award the Order of Merit in Education, in the rank of Commander.
Today marks the start of a new academic year, which is undoubtedly the most difficult academic year since 1989.
The social distancing rules necessary in the context of the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic make it difficult for an educational process in which mentoring plays a central role.
However, I am convinced that you will find the best ways to ensure both the quality of the educational act and the protection of the academic community from the risk of contamination with the new coronavirus.
This year has been difficult not only for arts education, but also for cultural events in general. The auditoriums have been closed for months and the measures aimed at controlling the epidemic will not allow a return to normality in the next period.
There is an inseparable link between the performing arts and the public. I especially appreciate the sacrifice that the artistic community makes to contribute to the safety of society as a whole.
At the same time, I am aware that there is a real need to support cultural institutions, actors, directors, filmmakers and media creators and that is why I am in constant dialogue with the responsible government authorities to find appropriate solutions to this deeply affected pandemic segment. .
Together, the Government, other authorities, creators of all fields of arts and cultural industries and, last but not least, academia, have the responsibility to think and relaunch the cultural field. We will have to remedy not only the damage caused by the pandemic, but also some systemic gaps, which have made cultural consumption in Romania, in the last decade, well below the European Union average.
Economic recovery efforts after a pandemic should be accompanied by greater support for culture, both from the state and the private sector.
This is the message of encouragement that I want to send to the students of the National University of Theater and Cinematography, as well as to the students of the other universities and art faculties in Romania. Arts education is, after all, an essential pillar in building a truly educated Romania.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On the occasion of the opening of the new academic year, I would like to discuss the issue of academic freedom and the right to knowledge without ideological restrictions, especially since humanities education, which includes the arts, is a fundamental pillar of our societies.
Democracy and pluralism are based precisely on these principles and on university autonomy, as values on which, in fact, the entire modern Europe to which we belong has been built.
Freedom of conscience, freedom of movement and association, freedom of expression, the right to education, all these constitutional foundations of democracy are exemplified, practiced and developed in the university environment, which contributes significantly to their assumption in the society as a whole.
Therefore, the violation of these freedoms, at any time, in any place and by any means, by retrograde entities, is inconceivable and intolerable..
The Romanian university environment must remain and develop as a space of freedom, open to debate, in which different, complex and daring points of view will shape the future.
Respecting the letter and spirit of the Constitution, the ideals of the Romanian Revolution mentioned in its first article, I will oppose any political interference designed to divert the Romanian school from its mission, that of contributing to a European Romania through the values and education.
There is no other university education than the autonomous one, based on cardinal values such as freedom, tolerance, diversity, trust, respect, and social inclusion.
Honor attendance,
After 70 years of remarkable activity, in which the National University of Theater and Cinematography contributed to the consolidation of Romanian culture and made us proud of the achievements of some famous names in theater and cinematography, more and more possibilities are opening up to the academic community.
For years to come, your university will have access to European mobility programs, scholarships and European collaboration opportunities that previous generations could only dream of.
I hope that your university, which is already famous throughout Southeast Europe, will take advantage of them and become a world reference in the field of art and culture.
Dear students,
I congratulate you on your choice and on your success in studying at the “Ion Luca Caragiale” National Theater and Cinematography University. I am convinced that he will continue a remarkable tradition of performance and that he will contribute, through his ideas, his spirit and his dedication, to the continuous advancement of Romanian culture.
I hope you discover your potential for years to come and I look forward to seeing your creations for years to come.
I wish you all a happy new year, full of inspiration and achievement!
The National University of Theater and Cinematography “Ion Luca Caragiale” lived, grew, and flourished!
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