Romania’s Centennial: Parade in Alba Iulia, ‘Union Bridge’ monument inaugurated. More than 100,000 Romanians attend ceremonies

President Klaus Iohannis and the Royal family have attended the parade in Alba Iulia, the Great Union’s city, Saturday afternoon, to mark 100 years since the Great Union.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 Romanians have attended the ceremonies on Saturday, from all regions of the country and from Republic of Moldova (Bessarabia).

The head of state laid a wreath of flowers at the Coronation Cathedral, at the statue of King Ferdinand, the ‘Unificator’.

Soon after this, President Iohannis, together with the Alba Iulia mayor, has inaugurated the ‘Union Bridge’ monument downtown the city, on the very day of the Centennial. He has also delivered a speech on this occasion.

He said Romanians have the duty to reveal, through their deeds, that they are “the continuators of the Great Union project.”

“We, the ones living today, have the privilege to inherit the fruits of the most important project ever in the area of our forefathers. It is our duty and responsibility to pay homage to the past and to tell the coming generations about the national ideals, through our deeds, as continuators of the Great Union project,” President Iohannis said in his speech.

The head of state said he is honoured to be the President of Romania during the Centennial of the Great Union.

He also mentioned that the inaugurated monument is the “embrace from one century ago between the Romanians on both sides of the Carpathians.”

The Alba Iulia festivities were also attended by Patriarch Daniel and Prosecutor General Augustin Lazar.

The military parade started at 15.30h and 23 detachments paraded on foot and other 18 detachments paraded in 185 technical equipment and 23 military aircraft.

Several people shouted ‘Shame on you’ to PSD Senator Serban Nicolae.

In the morning, the head of state had attended the military ceremonies held at the Arch of Triumph in Bucharest.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has attended the ceremonies in Bucharest in the morning and the ones organized in Focsani in the afternoon, conducted simultaneously with the ones in Alba Iulia.

photos: TV captures TVR public television and Digi 24 TV