Romanian Heroes Day Celebration

Heroes’ Day is celebrated in Romania every year on Ascension Day, evoking the memory of those who have fallen on the battlefields for centuries for faith, freedom, justice and for the unification of the nation.

The celebration of Heroes Day in Bucharest to place at Carol Park at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where Romanian soldiers, dressed in ceremonial uniforms laid a wreath of flowers in memory of all Romanian heroes.

Romanian political leaders presented their message of respect, recalling Romanian rich history of bravery and patriotism which crowned the Romanian nation for centuries.

Today, Romania symbolically intertwines its Christian and historical being, marking at the same time two great celebrations: the Day of Ascension of the Lord and the Day of Heroes. At 12 o’clock, the bells will be ringed in all places of worship, a moment of silence will be observed in the public institutions and the educational units, and after the officiating of the Divine Liturgy of Ascension, the festivities of commemoration of the heroes will begin, at the tombs and commemorative works of Romanian war, as well as at the foreign ones on the territory of Romania. To pay tribute to the memory of those who sacrificed themselves on the battlefield throughout history, the Romanian Government, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the local authorities, associations and nongovernmental organizations, the citizens who come to be present at the demonstrations meet today in deeds and thoughts – and we thank them for joining us.

Nicolae Ciuca, Romanian Prime Minister

On this day, in all the churches in the country, the commemoration of all the Romanian heroes fallen over the centuries on all the battlefields for faith, freedom, justice and for the defence of the country and the unification of the nation is made by tolling the bell. In public institutions and educational units will be a moment of silence, a homage to the heroes of the country. Moreover, candles and flowers will be laid at the heroes’ graves.

In all the places of worship, the bells will be tolling at 12:00, and in the public institutions and educational units, a moment of silence will be kept as a sign of homage to the heroes of the homeland.

According to tradition, there will be a march of torches lit in the capital in honour of fallen heroes. The torches will be lit symbolically by the war veterans who represented Romania at Invictus Games this year. The soldiers, dressed in ceremonial uniforms, will march through the capital with lit torches, on the glorious notes of the Romanian patriotic songs, in memory of those who fell on the battle fronts.

Such festivities will take place all over Romania in memory of Romanian heroes and during these events, the names of the heroes of the Romanian people who fell on duty in the wars fought by the Romanian Army or in missions executed in the theatres of operations will be symbolically uttered.

The most memorable event of this day is the torch-lit march of the Military Brigade 30 Guard ”Mihai Viteazul” which happens at night in Bucharest, on the route National Military Circle, Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue) – Bulevardul Eroilor (Heroes Boulevard) – Cotroceni Palace – Military Brigade 30 Guard ”Mihai Viteazul” headquarters.