romanian cultural centre
London
Throughout the years we have been developing a collaborative network of
interests and opportunities for the Romanian community living in the UK,
contributing to England's multicultural milieu. We facilitate cultural exchanges
between Britain and Romania, constantly aiming to improve our relationship. RCC
also provides an up to date Guide containing information about Romanian
institutions, organisations, businesses and services in the UK. Our Work We rely
on the enthusiasm of our team of volunteers, who get involved in our programmes
and help us improve invariably. Moreover, the Centre benefits from a number of
voluntary British advisers on dealings with British institutions and audiences.
These are friends of Romania, private or public persons from various
institutions who have supported the Centre in its endeavours by encouraging us
to bring new ideas to life. Besides the cultural activities implied by the name,
RCC also plays an active part in the social life of the Romanian Diaspora in
Britain. Our History The idea of establishing an organisation to represent
Romanians in the UK dates from the '50s, when ACARDA (Asociatia Culturala a
Romanilor din Anglia - The Cultural Association of the Romanians in England) was
founded by Ion Ratiu and Horia Georgescu working together with various
individuals, notably the ladies of the Romanian community. In 1984 the UMRL
(Uniunea Mondiala a Romanilor Liberi - The World Union of Free Romanians) was
launched in Geneva to unite Romanians from all over the world. Ion Ratiu was
elected the first President. From that date (1984) UMRL published a monthly
newspaper in Romanian and English, 'Romanul Liber' (Free Romanian), which
flourished until 1997. In 1984 a British branch of UMRL was founded, along with
branches in 23 other countries. Sandu Pobereznic was elected as the first
British President, and succeeded by Nicolae Ratiu in 1992. The newspaper was
closed and political activity sharply scaled down after the election of 1996,
when it was considered that the objective of UMRL, the restoration of freedom
and democracy to Romania, had largely been achieved.
