Romania Signs Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen Cultural Diplomacy at Venice Biennials
Venice, The Gulf Observer: Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu emphasized the importance of art and cultural diplomacy in demonstrating that Romania can assert its identity without choosing between tradition and modernity, inspiring new generations of artists.
In line with this vision, Romania on Monday signed a collaboration protocol for the country’s representation at the Venice Biennials of Art and Architecture. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Țoiu, Minister of Culture Andras Demeter, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) Liviu Sebastian Jicman, Executive President of UniCredit Bank Mihaela Lupu, and Anca Ungureanu, Director of Identity and Communication at UniCredit Bank.
The partnership aims to promote Romania’s cultural diplomacy and modern artistic expression within the broader European tradition, strengthening the country’s presence in Italy’s cultural scene. UniCredit Bank becomes a strategic partner, covering part of the costs of project implementation to allow artists and architects to focus on their creative work. This public-private collaboration complements existing protocols between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Romanian Cultural Institute, and, for the Architecture Biennale, the Union of Architects of Romania.
“This initiative combines public resources with private sector dynamism, supporting Romanian creators on an international platform for artistic dialogue,” Minister Țoiu said.
The Venice Biennials, established in 1895 and regarded as the “Olympiad” of contemporary art, is the world’s oldest and most prestigious art event. Romania has participated since 1907, showcasing renowned artists such as Constantin Brâncuși and Adrian Ghenie. The new protocol provides a predictable framework for Romania’s participation, initially valid for one year with automatic extensions, ensuring multi-year support for Romanian artists at the Biennials.
