Welcome to the 4th Edition of our Romanian Weekend at the Wharf!
Ambassador’s Message
A Celebration of Romania in the Nation’s Capital
It is my utmost pleasure to invite you to the fourth edition of the Romanian Weekend at The Wharf—the largest Romanian cultural festival in Washington, D.C. This remarkable occasion offers a vibrant opportunity to celebrate the richness of Romanian culture, embracing its enduring traditions, captivating heritage, and the unique spirit that defines Romania as a nation.
Thanks to the invaluable support of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, and the generous contributions of our sponsors and partners, this event has blossomed into a premier platform for intercultural exchange, dialogue, and friendship between Romania and the United States.
From July 11 to 13, 2025, we invite you to embark on a transformative cultural journey through the sights, sounds, tastes, and stories of Romania. Enjoy authentic folk music and dance, craft demonstrations, literary moments, traditional food tastings, Romanian wine sampling, and more. Prepare to be enthralled by a kaleidoscope of performances that will transport you straight to the heart of Romanian tradition and creativity.
The stage will come alive with the energy, passion, and talent of Romanian artists—offering an unforgettable experience that bridges continents and generations. From joyful village dances and ancient instruments to poetic storytelling and innovative craftsmanship, this festival honors both our roots and our modern identity.
The 2025 Romanian Weekend at The Wharf stands as a powerful testament to the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved—artists, organizers, sponsors, and volunteers—who have worked tirelessly to bring Romania closer to you.
May this weekend bring joy, discovery, and inspiration to all who attend. We hope you leave with a deeper connection to Romania and a heart full of lasting memories.
Welcome message from Dorian Branea - Director, The Romanian Cultural Institute New York
A Festival For Now And The Future
So here we are: ready to enjoy the jam-packed, fourth edition of the Romanian Weekend on the Wharf – the quintessential Romanian street festival in North America and one of the biggest Romanian cultural diplomacy programs everywhere in the world. I am particularly excited that our main guests this year is spectacular Timișoara, my hometown, the most diverse and forward-looking place in Romania.
This continuously evolving festival – made possible, primarily, by the symbiotic partnership of the Romanian Embassy to the U.S. and the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York – transforms The Wharf into a space of encounter, of discovery, and of belonging. It is a place where the vibrancy of Romanian music, dance, cuisine, and craftsmanship becomes apparent and irresistible. Where creativity, old and new, is a source of excitement, knowledge, pride, and friendship beyond all boundaries.
While planning and programming our festival, we have always aimed to create a long-lasting event, grown organically year after year. An event that, while seductively entertaining, can also educate, inspire, and remind us of what binds us together: our shared humanity and values (and, for some in the audience, our common roots), our longing for beauty, and our need to come together in a celebration of good life. I hope you can tell us, after these three days of non-stop events, that we have succeeded and you could not wait to get back to the 2026 edition!
About the organizers
The Embassy of Romania to the United States
A Partnership Rooted in History and Enriched Through Culture
Romania and the United States share a long-standing and dynamic friendship that began in 1880, when the two countries formally established diplomatic relations on June 14. Over the decades, this relationship has evolved into a robust partnership grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for global stability and democratic advancement.
A major milestone in this relationship was the launch of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States in 1997, in Bucharest, during the historic visit of U.S. President Bill Clinton. Today, this partnership stands as one of the fundamental pillars of Romania’s foreign policy and has played a vital role in shaping Romania’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory over the past 28 years.
The Strategic Partnership gained further depth with the adoption of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century on September 13, 2011. This landmark document formalized the key pillars of cooperation between the two nations: political dialogue, security, economy, people, science and technology, research, education, and culture.
The culture has long served as a cornerstone of mutual understanding and trust between Romanians and Americans. The fall of the communist regime in 1989 opened the door to the most dynamic and fertile period of transatlantic cultural exchange in modern history. Romanian artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and performers began to leave a lasting imprint on the American cultural landscape.
In recent years, Romanian cultural initiatives have flourished across the United States, from New York to San Diego, and from Seattle to Miami—highlighting the creativity, depth, and diversity of Romanian culture. Through concerts, exhibitions, literary events, film screenings, theater performances, and festivals, Romanian culture continues to strengthen the people-to-people dimension of the bilateral relationship.
The Embassy of Romania in Washington, D.C., alongside the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York and a wide network of Romanian-American communities and partners, remains committed to promoting Romania’s cultural identity and to building lasting bridges between the people of our two countries.
As we celebrate this enduring friendship, we also look ahead—to new partnerships, new artistic endeavors, and a shared future built on cultural appreciation and mutual respect.
The Romanian Cultural Institute in New York
Established in 1969 under the name The Romanian Library, the Romanian Cultural Institute (RCI) in New York is one of the oldest and most dynamic institutions of Romanian cultural diplomacy abroad. With a mission rooted in promoting Romania’s rich cultural heritage, the RCI has grown into a versatile and forward-thinking hub for creativity, learning, and international collaboration.
Over the decades, the Institute has evolved into a multifaceted organization that serves simultaneously as a curator, producer, promoter, resource center, and educational platform. Its activities are designed to showcase the richness and diversity of Romanian artistic, cultural, and academic life while strengthening Romanian-American cultural relations at all levels.
While headquartered in New York City, the Romanian Cultural Institute has expanded its reach far beyond the East Coast, engaging audiences and partners across the United States—from Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles to Austin, Seattle, and Miami—as well as in major Canadian cultural centers such as Toronto and Montreal. With this extensive footprint, the RCI aspires to a truly Pan-American presence.
As the main cultural agency representing Romanian artists and creators in North America, the RCI works across a wide spectrum of disciplines—visual arts, music, film, literature, performing arts, heritage crafts, design, and academic exchange—connecting Romanian talents with top-tier American institutions, festivals, museums, universities, and cultural platforms.
A specialist in cultural networking, the RCI plays a key role in building sustainable partnerships between Romanian and American organizations—whether public or independent. It supports co-productions, artist residencies, translation programs, and academic cooperation, ensuring that Romanian culture continues to thrive in dialogue with the global creative scene.
Through its diverse and inclusive programming, the RCI aims to inspire curiosity, foster mutual understanding, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Romanian creativity. In a world of shifting cultural landscapes, the Institute remains steadfast in its commitment to bridging cultures through dialogue, discovery, and artistic excellence.