Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has been repeatedly applauded almost after every sentence, during his speech delivered at the meeting with Transylvanian Saxons on Saturday. It was the first such meeting organized since 1990 downtown Sibiu, the city where Iohannis had been mayor.
“Sibiu is the historical capital of the Saxons in our beautiful Transylvania.” The Saxons have offered examples, as a community to the entire world, the President said, applauded by the audience. The head of state told the youths present in the Grand Square that they are “the fruit of a community which has given many examples to the entire world”.
The ceremony downtown Sibiu started with Romania’s national anthem and with the song of Transylvania.
The head of state said there is a chance to offer to new generations “arguments and facts so that Centenary Romania be rediscovered as a place of opportunity and prosperity”.
“One hundred years ago, together with the Romanian majority, the Transylvanian Saxons saw in Romania of the Grand Union the space of liberty promised to their forefathers. A century on from that moment, in the new European framework we are part of, as President of the country I say that we have the chance to offer the new generation arguments and facts so that Centenary Romania be rediscovered as a place of opportunity and prosperity. I invite you to join this project of freedom and tolerance, where you, the Transylvanian Saxons, regardless of where you came from to Sibiu, are at home!” the President said.
Receiving applause after each phrase uttered in front of the 20,000 Transylvanian Saxons from Europe and the US, Klaus Iohannis urged those present to search for God and not give up freedom.
“The fundamental message of the history of Transylvanian Saxons, that they speak through their cities, their books, their traditions in labour and clothing, is to relentlessly search for God, to never give up the fight for freedom. Let us have, all our lives, respect for others, cherish solidarity and tolerance,” Iohannis said.
photos: presidency.ro