I had the distinct honor of photographing a unique cultural event at the Romanian Embassy in London, held in celebration of Ziua IEI (Day of the Romanian Blouse). This remarkable event, hosted on June 24, 2024, in partnership with the Embassy of Moldova, showcased an inspiring parallel between the traditional dances of the Romanian Călușarii and the British Morris Dancers.
The event brought together diplomats and officials from the UK, adorned in the traditional costumes of their respective countries. It was a vibrant display of cultural heritage, with the Călușarii's ritual dance, a UNESCO - listed intangible cultural heritage, mesmerizing the audience alongside the equally historic Morris dance from the UK.
The reception featured stellar performances by the dancers from the "Maria Tănase" Popular Dance Ensemble of the "Cornetti" School of Popular Arts and Crafts from Craiova, and the World Famous Hammersmith Morris Men. The synergy between these two traditional dance forms, from different corners of Europe, created an impressive cultural parallel that was a delight to capture through my lens.
Ambassadors Laura Popescu of Romania and Ruslan Bolbocean of Moldova, along with their teams, proudly donned traditional attire, promoting the rich cultural heritage of their nations. The event highlighted the shared cultural identity and the significance of preserving such traditions, a theme emphasized in Ambassador Popescu’s speech. She also commended the participation of guests in their traditional costumes, celebrating the beauty of national dress from around the world.
The Romanian Embassy also displayed a collection of traditional costumes from Romania and Moldova, with intricately embroidered pieces crafted by skilled artisans. I extend my thanks to Veta Ghimpu Munteanu and Mădălina Popescu for their contributions from personal collections, and to all who supported this initiative.
The presence of the "Maria Tănase" Popular Dance Ensemble, led by choreographer Ionel Garoafă, was made possible by the Dolj County Council. The Hammersmith Morris Men participated with support from the Romanian Cultural Institute in London. Special thanks are due to Sir George Iacobescu, Bogdan Scutelnicu, and Eco Garden for their invaluable support.
As a photographer, it was a privilege to document such a culturally rich and visually stunning event. In addition to capturing these moments, I have also created a surprise video highlights reel to commemorate this special occasion, which you can view below.
Thank you to the Romanian Embassy for this wonderful opportunity, and to all who participated in making this event a memorable celebration of cultural heritage.
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