Ponta: Romania's national anthem - symbol of regained dignity of long-suffering nation

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said on Tuesday, on the Day of the National Anthem of Romania that the 'Wake Up, Romanian!' anthem is a symbol of the regained dignity of a long-suffering nation.

'In the ever rushing world we live in, where a sort of evening-out roller passes over the identities, an anthem like ?Wake Up, Romanian!' is something of an anachronism. Yet, above all it is a symbol of the regained dignity of a long-suffering nation, put to test by time and history, the Romanian nation', the prime minister wrote on his Facebook page in a message on the National Anthem Day.

He stressed that the 'Wake Up, Romanian!' anthem became known in the revolutionary 1848 year, that changed the face of Europe.

Ponta added that the new anthem of Romania that returned to democracy after the 1989 fall of communism was chosen in a natural way and was undisputable.

'To be able to fully understand its meaning, we must thoroughly know our history, with its good and not so good parts and learn the lessons it offers us. This year, by our vote (in November's presidential elections — editor's note), we must regain our dignity, after ten years of a discretionary political rule, that has dented the democracy, the credibility of its institutions and after a long string of economic and social failures. It is time for a new ?waking up' of the nation, who can build their future in agreement with the Romanian citizens' needs and expectations, in an Europe faced with a host of challenges. By honouring our anthem, we honour our forefathers, the national history and express our wish to live in freedom. The future of Romania has two clear landmarks: the dignity of the citizens and of the nation and their freedom to decide their own fate. We cannot...