On National Culture Day, public cultural institutions under the authority of the Ministry of Culture are offering a rich program that includes exhibitions, performances, concerts, guided tours, workshops, film screenings, and meetings with artists, researchers, and creators.

Events dedicated to National Culture Day take place both in Bucharest and in cities across the country, within the spaces and programs of public cultural institutions subordinated to the Ministry of Culture.

The National Library of Romania presents the exhibition “Expressions of Traditional Dress from the Territory of Romania in Graphic Works from the Special Collections of the National Library of Romania”, an exploration of the splendor and diversity of traditional clothing, showcased through 70 drawings and watercolors from the library’s special collections.

The library also hosts the conference with workshops “Genealogy and Cultural Practices” (Thursday, January 15, 2026, 2:00–4:10 PM, Mircea Eliade Hall; free entry, subject to seat availability), featuring guests from different cultural fields – Maia Morgenstern, Filip Florian, Radu Tudorancea, and Gabriela Petre. The event includes dedicated workshops, including one built around family photographs (the public is invited to bring a photo), and during the meeting, 43 photographs from the BNaR Digital Library will be displayed.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art of Romania (MNAC) invites the public to a guided tour of the exhibition “The Twist. The Triumph of the Province, the Twilight of Empires” (January 15, 5:30 PM, ground floor), led by the exhibition’s curator, Călin Dan. The tour is followed by a DJ set in the museum café (6:30 PM) with Zadiel. Participation is free, no reservation required, and car access to the courtyard of the Palace of Parliament is permitted for this event.

At the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, visitors are invited to the workshop “The Blouse with Stories” (January 15, 3:00 PM, Irina Nicolau Hall), held as part of the exhibition “From Bihor to New York”, with artist Dorin Negrău and Dr. Simona Bala. On the same day, the openings of the exhibitions “In memoriam Corneliu Vasilescu” (5:00 PM, Tancred Bănăţeanu Hall) and “Between I and We” (6:00 PM, Media Hall) take place. The latter is accompanied by an artistic program featuring soprano Alexandra Tănase (piano: Andra Demidov), the Berechet Sisters Band, and a dance performance by Elena Mihaela Zamfirescu. The evening concludes at Cinema Muzeul Ţăranului with the screening of the film “The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu” (8:00 PM), followed by a Q&A session with the film’s team.

At the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, January 15 is dedicated to the meeting of science, nature, and culture: free admission to the permanent exhibition and to the exhibition “8”, with the opportunity to observe around 80 species of live tarantulas. For families, students, and teachers, the museum offers a treasure hunt titled “The Poetry of Nature”, inspired by the verses of Mihai Eminescu (program 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, last entry at 5:00 PM).

At the National Museum of Romanian History, visitors have free access and can see, for the first time, an album of manuscripts by the poet Vasile Alecsandri, alongside the permanent exhibitions (the Replica of Trajan’s Column, the Historical Treasury, the Lapidarium) and temporary exhibitions: “Enemies of the People”, “RE – MNIR: 50 Years of Restoration”, “Masterpieces…”, “Ion Dumitrana – Model Maker and Engraver”, and “… at Hand.”

The National Museum of Maps and Old Books invites the public on January 15 to visit free of charge and discover the temporary exhibition “Zoom In. Zoom Out. Romania in Maps”, curated by Elena Păunoiu and Ioana Zamfir, offering a visual journey through cartographic representations of Romanian territory, shifting between broad perspective and detail.

At the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum, the public is invited to the program “Longing for Eminescu… 176 Years Since the Birth of the Great Poet” (starting at 11:00 AM), featuring moments from Eminescu’s poetry, vocal and instrumental recitals, and performances by artists and students from specialized institutions.

The National Institute for Cultural Research and Training (INCFC) organizes on January 16 at 6:00 PM, at Cărtureşti, the debate “Cultural Consumption & Reading: Where Are We and Where Are We Headed?”

The National Center for the Arts “Tinerimea Română” hosts two events: the MUSICRIT Awards Gala, 4th edition (January 14, 7:00 PM, Romanian Athenaeum), in partnership with the Union of Music Critics, Editors, and Producers of Romania; and the “National Culture Day” concert at the Tinerimea Română Palace (January 15, 6:00 PM), performed by the Arcadia Quartet and the Preludiu – Voicu Enăchescu Chamber Choir.

The “Ion Dacian” National Operetta and Musical Theatre presents, on January 15 at 7:00 PM, the rock opera “Meşterul Manole”, a production that blends authentic Romanian folklore with the energy of rock music.

The Ambasadorii Musical Theatre stages, on January 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the performance “Harap Alb” (after Ion Creangă), at the Small Hall of the National Children’s Palace.

The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre presents, on the evening of January 15 starting at 7:00 PM, two Romanian author-driven productions: “Moroi şi păpădii”, written and directed by Gavril Pătru (Painting Hall), and “Exile”, written and directed by Alexandra Badea (Ion Caramitru Hall). Audiences attending “Exile” will also be able to watch, in the foyer, a video montage of Eminescu’s verses interpreted by renowned actors of the National Theatre. Tickets are available at the theatre box office or online at bilet.ro. Also at TNB: free guided visits to the TNB Museum (12:00 PM and 2:00 PM) for the exhibition “Queen Marie at the Theatre” (free ticket, subject to availability), free guided tours of the theatre (1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM), and starting at 5:00 PM, light projections on the stage tower featuring portraits of major figures of Romanian culture.

The “Madrigal – Marin Constantin” National Chamber Choir marks National Culture Day 2026 with two events: “Marin Constantin 100”, hosted by Romanian cultural institutions in Madrid (ICR Madrid and the Embassy of Romania to the Kingdom of Spain); and the launch of the latest video from the program “Romanian Contemporary Music in Universal Ancient Spaces” – Episode V, filmed at the Roman Theatre of Mérida: “Mérida – Ephemerides”, performed by the Madrigal Choir, based on the piece “Ephemerides” by Anatol Vieru, directed by Emil Pantelimon. At the same time, across the country, within the National Cantus Mundi Program, children’s choirs will hold recitals dedicated to National Culture Day.

Written by News.ro | 13 01 2026, 09:36