Launched in 2022 as a joint initiative of the Embassy of Romania to the United States and the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York as part of a major program marking the 25th anniversary of Romania-United States Strategic Partnership, “The Romanian Weekend at The Wharf” is the biggest Romanian cultural and public diplomacy program in the United States. A three-day event, bringing together Romanian, Romanian-American and American artists, this kaleidoscopic feast of mind and soul celebrates the Romanian-American friendship and showcases the creativity and diversity of Romanian talent on both sides of the Atlantic.
The festival-like programing, catering to all tastes and ages, highlights the many facets of Romanian culture old and new, including folk music and dances, jazz and hip-hop, traditional crafts demonstrations, literary performances, culinary presentations, wine tasting, and many more. The event, organized by the Romanian Embassy and the Romanian Cultural Institute with the support of numerous partners and sponsors, takes place at The Wharf, the popular Washington esplanade by the Potomac, every year during the summer. The principal partner of the 2022 and 2023 editions was the Maramureș County Council.
Read about the organizers: the Embassy of Romania to Washington, DC and the Romanian Cultural Institute, New York.
Special thanks to our partners and generous sponsors. Read about our supporters.
A Celebration of Romania in the Nation’s Capital
It is my utmost pleasure to invite you to the second edition of the Romanian Weekend at The Wharf, the biggest Romanian festival in Washington, D.C. This a tremendous occasion to celebrate the rich of Romanian culture, embracing its vibrant traditions, captivating heritage, and the spirit that defines Romania as a nation.
With the invaluable support of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, and with generous support of our sponsors, this remarkable event has blossomed into a premier platform for promoting intercultural exchange and understanding.
From July 7 to 9, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey, as we showcase the very best of Romanian folk music, dance, craft-demonstrations, food-sampling, wine-tasting and more. Prepare to be enthralled by a kaleidoscope of performances that will transport you to the heart of Romania.
From traditional folk dances and music, to literary performances, the stage will come alive with the energy and passion of Romanian artists, leaving an indelible mark on your hearts.
The second edition of the Romanian Weekend at The Wharf is a demonstration of the dedication of the all participants: artists, sponsors and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.
May this weekend be a memorable experience for all!
Ambassador Andrei Muraru
Welcome To Romanian Culture
“It’s exhilarating for us at the Romanian Cultural Institute to join forces again with our colleagues at the Romanian Embassy and with many partners, supporters and friends for another edition of what has become an important landmark in Washington’s cultural diplomatic landscape. Enticed by the success of last year’s program and having learned a lot from putting together such a massive enterprise, we are excited to offer in 2023 a Romanian Weekend that has become bigger and more diverse, with a greater variety of activities and more artists involved. While happy to present amazing talent from home, we have made a point in working with some of the outstanding artists and ensembles from the Romanian-American community. So, prepare for a full weekend of cultural discoveries and irresistible fun, with music, dance, literary performances, exhibitions, craft-demonstrations, food-sampling, and wine-tasting that will reveal the richness of a culture and the depth of a friendship.”
Dorian Branea, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York
About
The Embassy
of Romania
to the United States
Romania and the United States share a long-standing friendship dating back to 1880, when the two countries established diplomatic relations, on June 14.
An important landmark of the bilateral relations is the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States, launched in Bucharest in 1997, in the presence of U.S. President Bill Clinton. Defined today as one of the fundamental pillars of Romania’s foreign policy, the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States remains a key milestone on Romania’s Euro-Atlantic pathway for the past 26 years.
In the evolution of the Strategic Partnership, the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between the United States of America and Romania, on September 13, 2011 played a particularly important role in establishing the pillars of the Romania-U.S. relationship: political dialogue, security, economy, people, science and technology, research, education, and culture.
Culture had provided, over the years, a solid foundation of mutual trust and knowledge. The fall of the communist regime in 1989 ushered in the most fertile and expansive period of transatlantic cultural relations. In recent years, Romanian cultural projects have proliferated from New York to San Diego and from Seattle to Miami.
About the Romanian Cultural Institute New York
Established in 1969 as the Romanian Library, the Romanian Cultural Institute (RCI) in North America is one of Romania’s oldest cultural diplomacy vehicles.
Endowed with a versatile institutional identity, the RCI is at once a curator, promoter, producer of artistic and cultural events, resource center and learning hub, which act in synergy to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of Romanian artistic, cultural and academic scene and to galvanize the Romanian-American cultural relations at all levels. While based in New York City, the RCI aspires to a Pan-American presence as our projects cover the whole of the United States and major cultural centers in Canada. The RCI also acts as the principle artistic agency for Romanian artists in the United States and beyond. A networking specialist, it works to establish thriving, ever-expanding partnerships among Romanian and American cultural organizations, public or independent.
Partners
Sponsors
About The Location
The Wharf in
Washington, DC
The Wharf reestablished Washington, DC, as a waterfront city and destination. This remarkable, mile-long stretch along the Potomac River comes to life with restaurants, retailers, residences, and businesses—all complemented by monumental views and a vibrant culture.
With The Wharf completely constructed and thriving, it’s easy to forget how much time and effort went into making it happen.