Romanian Cultural Institute in Paris celebrates the Olympics with exhibition and the premiere of the film about Ivan Patzaichin

The exhibition “Les sportifs roumains en beauté” and the international premiere of the film “Ivan, omul cu rădăcini în ape” are among the cultural events organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Paris on the occasion of the Olympic Games.

The open-air exhibition “Les sportifs roumains en beauté” (“Romanian Athletes in Motion”) will be displayed on the exterior fence of the Béhague Palace – the Embassy of Romania in France, starting Monday. The project celebrates the values of Olympism – excellence, respect, friendship, solidarity – through images of the beauty of athletic gestures and bodies. It is organized by ICR Paris, with the support of Agerpres, the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR), and the Embassy of Romania in Paris.

On Monday, the first performance in France will take place in Versailles as part of the tour by the Bucharest National Opera on the occasion of the Olympic Games and the inauguration of Casa României at the Embassy of Romania in Paris. The Orchestra and Choir of the Bucharest National Opera will perform the exceptional concert “Ethos românesc” at 20:00 at the Potager du Roi. The event promotes emblematic Romanian composers: George Enescu, Ciprian Porumbescu, George Grigoriu, Gherase Dendrino, Grigoraş Dinicu, Constantin Dimitrescu.

On Wednesday, the Romanian Orthodox Church Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael in Paris will host a sacred music program presented by the orchestra and choir of the Bucharest National Opera.

To open the tour in France, Romanian music will be the subject of a flash mob organized by the Bucharest National Opera on Monday morning in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, where the National Anthem of Romania and the Olympic Anthem will be performed.

On July 25, the Bucharest National Opera will provide the opening musical moment for the inauguration ceremony of Casa României – a joint project organized by the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) at the Embassy of Romania in France, which will serve as the epicenter for supporting and promoting the Romanian Olympic Team for a month.

At Casa României on August 9, ICR Paris, in collaboration with the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association, will host the international premiere of the film “Ivan, omul cu rădăcini în ape,” directed by Ana Preda. The film portrays Ivan Patzaichin, a multiple Olympic, world, and European canoeing champion from Mila 23, a small village in the heart of the Danube Delta. This biographical documentary explores Patzaichin’s life and legacy in a deeply personal and cinematic manner. The production, signed by TVR and the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association, will be preceded by a conference and a public discussion featuring guests Georgiana Patzaichin, Ivona Patzaichin-Rusu, Teodor Frolu, Ana Preda, Oana Costinaş, Cristian China Birta, and Sonia Simionov.

2024 Olympic Games in Paris

The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games is set to take place from July 26 to August 11, will see over 10,000 athletes from around the globe compete in 32 sports, with new events such as breakdancing making their debut. Paris, hosting the Olympics for the third time, has promised a spectacular event with a focus on sustainability and innovation, using iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées as part of the competition venues.