Centenary March

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Participants of the march near Solești, Romania, near the Moldovan border

The Centenary March (

villages, passing through several points significant for the Great Union (Bessarabia, Bukovina and Transylvania
).

Organization of the march

The march was 1,300 km long and was initially divided into 11 stages of more or less 5 days each:[1]

  1. Alba Iulia - Căianu Mic (1–5 July)
  2. Căianu Mic - Bahnea (7–11 July)
  3. Bahnea - Sibiu (13–17 July)
  4. Sibiu - Curtea de Argeș (18–22 July)
  5. Curtea de Argeș - Târgoviște (24–28 July)
  6. Târgoviște - Cerașu (29 July–3 August)
  7. Cerașu - Ojdula (5–9 August)
  8. Ojdula - Tecuci (11–15 August)
  9. Tecuci - Vaslui (17–20 August)
  10. Vaslui - Iași (21–24 August)
  11. Iași - Chișinău (26 August–1 September)

In the Centenary March, generally between 20 and 30 km per day were walked on foot. During it, the participants intended to collect one million signatures to launch a

city hall of Iași, each with a color of the flag of Romania (blue, yellow and red). They were used as "mobile museums" with images from the First World War and the Great Union.[4] Action 2012 was involved in the march's organization.[5]

March

First stage (Alba Iulia–Căianu Mic)

On 1 July, the Centenary March started in Alba Iulia, in the region of Transylvania. Local authorities and civilians lit the Union Flame in front of the

Romanian flag 100 metres (330 feet) long.[7] They stated that they thought the march was a step forward towards the unification of both states. Afterwards, they started the route towards Chișinău. The first stage of the march, from 1 to 5 July, covered a route starting in Alba Iulia, passing through Teiuș, Unirea, Turda and Cluj-Napoca and ending in Căianu Mic.[6] It was estimated that between 50 and 100 people would participate in this stage of the march.[7] George Simion appealed people to participate in the march:[8]

Come with us on the march, come when we cross the Prut and especially on September 1 in Chișinău. We are people of action. We have set out to collect a million signatures to make the Union and we will collect them. It takes each of you for that. At the end of the year, we will have parliamentary elections across the Prut [in Moldova]. We must do justice in the Republic of Moldova. But let no one be mistaken, the only way to do justice is the Union with Romania. We must not wait for these elections and continue to worship the border at the Prut. It is time to take it down and start this march, kilometer by kilometer.

On 3 July, the march abandoned

Wallachian prince who briefly ruled for the first time in history the three principalities inhabited by Romanians (Moldavia, Transylvania and Wallachia). Afterwards, they stayed in the city center for a while.[10]

On 4 July, the participants arrived in Cluj-Napoca through a

gas station at night. They continued the march through several streets of the city,[11] where they found people dressed in traditional Romanian dresses and monarchists with royal flags. Afterwards,[12] they were received in the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, in the Avram Iancu Square, by Andrei Andreicuț [pl; ro; ru], metropolitan bishop of the Metropolis of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj.[13] They then stopped at the Piața Unirii at approximately 21:00, thus walking the first 100 kilometres (62 miles) of the march.[11] There, the participants started chanting Basarabia, pământ românesc! ("Bessarabia, Romanian land!"). The participants were welcomed by representatives of the municipality of Cluj-Napoca, greeted the people of the city and offered them Romanian tricolor flags and other symbols.[13] Simion appealed to more people to participate in the upcoming ten stages of the march.[11]

On 5 July, the first stage of the Centenary March ended in Căianu Mic, in Bistrița-Năsăud County, where the participants received help and support from the locals.[14]

Second stage (Căianu Mic–Bahnea)

On 7 July, the second stage began, which covered Căianu Mic,

torrential rains, they crossed Lechința, where they were received by the mayor Romeo Florian. They also passed through Sărmășel-Gară (thus entering Mureș County), Satu Nou and Silivașu de Câmpie, where the mayor Ioan Dâmbean assisted them.[15] Then, they spent the night in Crăiești and marched towards Reghin. To face the rain, patriotic songs and unionist messages were sung. Simion stated that although they rarely have breaks, the participants are not tired and are happy to have already traveled a good distance from Alba Iulia.[16] Adrian Balica, a 73-year-old man from Grătiești, Moldova, stood out as the oldest participant at the moment.[15][16][17]

The participants reached Fărăgău on 9 July. At the entrances of the village, they were received by the priest Hadrian Horațiu Mălinaș and the mayor Ioan Milășan. Together, they walked to the center of the village while singing a patriotic song. After having lunch and talking with the natives for two hours, the participants resumed their way to Reghin.[18] They arrived in the afternoon, and found that the inhabitants of the city had prepared a special reception for them at 18:00 in the parking lot of a restaurant.[19] The authorities congratulated the participants for this initiative and urged them to continue taking the Union Flame to Bessarabia. Fanfares were played, traditional dances were performed and bread and salt was shared.[20]

On 10 July, the participants arrived in Târgu Mureș. They reported that, during the journey through Mureș County, the march was supported by many local mayors and Eastern Orthodox priests. At the entrance to the city, a small march was made in front of the Ascension of the Lord Cathedral, shouting Mureș vrea Unire! (Mureș wants the Union!). Several ordinary citizens, as well as members of various associations such as the New Right Association, the Civic Forum of the Romanians of Covasna, Harghita and Mureș, or the Free Dacians Association, among others, attended the marchers in the city. The city council of Târgu Mureș offered accommodation and food for the participants.[21]

By 13 July, the Centenary March was in the village of Bahnea.[17]

Third stage (Bahnea–Sibiu)

The third stage of the march would begin on 13 July. The participants of the second stage, while still in Bahnea, gave the Union Flame to those who would participate in the third one. This stage would take place in Bahnea, Hoghilag, Sighișoara, Agnita, Nocrich and Sibiu.[17] Therefore, the same day, the participants arrived in Sighișoara. Here, they visited the Historic Centre of Sighișoara and stayed at night at a lyceum. The City Council of Iași decided to send three buses collectively known as the "Union Caravan" (Caravana Unirii) to the march, each with a color of the Romanian flag (blue, yellow and red). These buses were intended to be used as "museums on wheels" about the centenary of the Great Union. However, Dan Coțcaru, a journalist from the city, complained about the activities that were taking place on the march (parties and drinking) and that the buses were being ignored.[22]

On 14 July, the march left in the morning and went to Daneș, where the city council housed them. Coțcaru complains that Simion left the buses in Sighișoara and did not notify the bus drivers where they had to go next.[22]

On 15 July, the participants passed through

luggage was stolen threatened to kill one of the bus drivers. Half an hour later, his luggage was found and the situation calmed down.[22]

On 17 July, around noon,[26] the Centenary March finally reached Sibiu, thus ending the third stage and completing 300 km (190 mi). Upon arrival, the participants received a blessing from the priest Constantin Necula [ro] at the Holy Trinity Cathedral urging them not to give up and to fight for unification.[27] Afterwards, they marched to the Grand Square of Sibiu [ro] while singing Trăiască, trăiască, trăiască și înflorească, Moldova, Ardealul și Țara Românească! ("Long live, long live, long live and flourish, Moldavia, Transylvania and Wallachia!").[28] Once there, they held hands,[26] sang patriotic songs, talked with the locals[27] and shared flags, calendars and nationalist insignias. They were also received by the Society for Romanian Culture and Literature in Bukovina [ro]. Simion insisted that despite the difficulties, they would not give up.[26] He also said that many people were greeting and helping them.[28] An appeal was made for volunteers to donate more water, food, sleeping bags and shoes for the participants.[27] The Metropolis of Transylvania [ro] offered to the participants rooms to pass the night.[29] The three buses accompanied the march all day.[22]

Fourth stage (Sibiu–Curtea de Argeș)

On 18 July, the march left Sibiu to start the fourth stage with the Union Flame with them. This stage ran through Sibiu,

reflective vests. They arrived in Brezoi (Vâlcea County, in the region of Wallachia), where a blues festival was taking place. They said that they would have liked to spend the night there, but since they did not know about the festival, they had planned to spend the night elsewhere. They also reached Tuțulești and the Cozia Monastery in Călimănești, where they were well received but had to leave quickly due to delay.[30]

On 21 July,

Stephen was about to die"). The police also received them, checking that the march did not consist of any type of propaganda.[30]

On 22 July, the fourth stage of the march ended in Curtea de Argeș (the first Wallachian capital),[34] covering around 450 km (280 mi) in total since the start of the march. The participants arrived in the city in the afternoon, at approximately 19:20. The first destination was the Princely Church. Here, they met with several citizens, with whom they marched towards the Curtea de Argeș Cathedral. Along the way, they were greeted and applauded by the population.[35] Once there in the cathedral, they met the priest Adrian Enache, who talked to them about the tomb of the Wallachian ruler Neagoe Basarab, as well as the ones of kings Carol I and Ferdinand I and the queens Elisabeth and Marie. Afterwards, they went to the Municipal Museum and visited the bust of Michael the Brave.[32] The march was received by the mayor and vice mayor, who offered accommodation, and by the Archdiocese of Argeș and Muscel, who donated food to it. Again, the buses arrived earlier, at 10:30, and showed its exhibition to the population.[35] Corbi, a village in the area, also offered them a place during the night.[34]

Crossing of the border with Moldova

On 27 August 2018, although the participants did not encounter any problems with the Romanian Border Police, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova did not allow them to enter under the pretext of "disturbance of the public order in the border area". When Romania asked for an explanation for this ban two days later, the Moldovan authorities allowed the participants to enter with the exception of Simion, who was returned to Romania without a clear explanation. At first he was banned from entering Moldova for 24 hours, but after he tried to enter again, he was banned for 2 months.[36][37] Despite the obstacles from the Moldovan authorities,[38][39] the Centenary March was welcomed by thousands of enthusiasts, ending in a demonstration at the Great National Assembly Square in Chișinău.[40][41]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Marşul Centenarului începe din 1 iulie la Alba-Iulia. Cum poți străbate cele 300 de localități din România și R. Moldova în cei 1.300 km". Unimedia (in Romanian). 25 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  2. ^ Drăghici-Taraș, Iulia (8 August 2018). "Unirea Basarabiei cu România trece și prin județul Covasna". Covasna Media (in Romanian).
  3. ^ "A început Marșul Centenarului: 1300 de km de la Alba Iulia la Chișinău". Cotidianul (in Romanian). 2 July 2018.
  4. ^ "VIDEO – Caravana Unirii însoțește Marșul Centenarului". iasi1.ro (in Romanian).
  5. ^ "FOTO-VIDEO: Marșul Centenarului – Tricolor de 100 de metri întins în fața Catedralei Reîntregirii. Flacăra Unirii, aprinsă la Alba Iulia, a plecat spre Chișinău". Ziarul Unirea (in Romanian). 1 July 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Alba Iulia, punct de plecare pentru Marșul Centenarului. Flacăra Unirii va ajunge la Chișinău pe 1 septembrie". ȘtirileTV (in Romanian). 2 July 2018.
  7. ^ a b c Suciu, Dragos (1 July 2018). "Susținători ai unirii Moldovei cu România au plecat în "Marşul Centenarului", din Alba". Mediafax (in Romanian).
  8. ^ "A început lungul Marș al Centenarului. Care este traseul". Digi24 (in Romanian). 2 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Flacăra Unirii a ajuns la Turda. Marșul Centenar se desfășoară acum în județul Cluj". 10TV Moldova (in Romanian). 3 July 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  10. ^ Derda, Daciana (4 July 2018). "Marșul centenarului a trecut și prin Turda". TurdaNews (in Romanian).
  11. ^ a b c Modiga, Iulia (4 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului: Unioniștii ajung astăzi la Cluj-Napoca". InfoPrut (in Romanian).
  12. ^ "Marşul Centenarului: Flacăra Unirii a ajuns la Cluj-Napoca". UP News (in Romanian). 4 July 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Participanții la Marșul Centenarului au ajuns ieri seară la Cluj-Napoca". români.md (in Romanian). 5 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Primii 100 de km din Marșul Centenar, parcurși. Flacăra Unirii își continuă drumul". 10TV Moldova (in Romanian). 5 July 2018.
  15. ^ a b Danciu, Flavia (9 July 2018). "Flacăra Unirii a traversat județul nostru, pe ploaie. Ștafeta a fost predată mai departe, la Căianu Mic". Bistrițeanul (in Romanian).
  16. ^ a b Modiga, Iulia (9 July 2018). "Acolo este țara mea! Cum reușesc să meargă pe jos, în ploaie torențială, participanții la Marșul Centenar". InfoPrut (in Romanian).
  17. ^ a b c "Marşul Centenar continuă chiar şi pe ploaie torenţială". Timpul.md (in Romanian). 16 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Marșul Centenarului". Protopopiatul Reghin (in Romanian). 9 July 2018.
  19. ^ Brad, Bogdan (9 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului a ajuns în județul Mureș". Realitatea de Mureș (in Romanian).
  20. ^ "Participanții la Marșul Centenar, întâmpinați cu fanfară, pâine și sare, cu dansuri și vorbe frumoase la Reghin". Ziarul National (in Romanian). 10 July 2018.
  21. ^ Vornicu, Andrei (12 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului a poposit la Târgu-Mureș!". Zi de zi (in Romanian).
  22. ^ a b c d Tănasă, Cristi (17 August 2018). ""Caravana Unirii" cu autobuze tricolore a eșuat în beții crunte și milogeală prin toată țara". ReporterIS (in Romanian).
  23. ^ a b c "Marşul Centenarului a ajuns la Copşa Mică". România la Centenar (in Romanian). 20 July 2018.
  24. ^ Padure, Radu (3 July 2018). "O delegație din Copșa Mică, la evenimentul inaugural Marșul Centenarului de la Alba Iulia". Sibiu 100% (in Romanian).
  25. ^ Surdu, Ion (17 July 2018). "Din Alba-Iulia spre Chișinău: Marșul Centenarului a ajuns în Sibiu. "Prutul este inutil"". Turnul Sfatului (in Romanian).
  26. ^ a b c Maier, Viorica (17 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului, pe jos de la Alba Iulia la Chișinău. Via Sibiu". Mesagerul de Sibiu (in Romanian).
  27. ^ a b c d Guțu, Ina (18 July 2018). "Flacăra Unirii pleacă de la Sibiu la Curtea de Argeș". Radio Chișinău (in Romanian).
  28. ^ a b Țîntă, Cosmin (17 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului a ajuns la Sibiu". ActiveNews (in Romanian).
  29. ^ Sava, Cristian (18 July 2018). "Marșul Centenar a ajuns la Sibiu". Deschide.md (in Romanian).
  30. ^ a b c d e Mitrache, Daciana (22 July 2018). "Marşul Centenarului, între patriotism şi scepticism: de la balade cântate în biserică la oameni care "vor să afle doar de la ce partid suntem"". Adevărul (in Romanian).
  31. ^ Iordache, Costi (23 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului, Alba Iulia - Chișinău, a ajuns la Curtea de Argeș". Bitpress (in Romanian).
  32. ^ a b Modiga, Iulia (23 July 2018). "Marșul Centenarului: Urmează etapa Curtea de Argeș – Câmpulung – Târgoviște". InfoPrut (in Romanian).
  33. ^ Popescu, Magda (23 July 2018). "Marşul Centenarului ajunge la Râmnicu Vâlcea". Vocea Vâlcii (in Romanian).
  34. ^ a b Bobi, Dodu (23 July 2018). "Marşul Centenarului a ajuns la Curtea de Argeş!". ArgeșExpres (in Romanian).
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  36. ^ Necșuțu, Mădălin (31 August 2018). "Moldova to Allow Opposing Protests in Capital". Balkan Insight.
  37. ^ "Unionistii care au pornit in marsul centenarului de la Alba Iulia au ajuns aproape de Chisinau, iar maine urmeaza sa manifeste in PMAN". ProTV Chișinău (in Romanian). 31 August 2018.
  38. ^ "Patriotas rumanos y moldavos marchaban desde Iași por la unidad y son agredidos en Chișinău". El Correo de España (in Spanish). 16 September 2018. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Daniel Ioniță a îndemnat cetățenii români să respecte legislația R. Moldova". Deschide.md (in Romanian). 2 September 2018.
  40. ^ "VIDEO // De la Alba Iulia, la Chișinău: Marșul Centenarului a ajuns în Piața Marii Adunări Naționale". jurnal.md (in Romanian). 1 September 2018.
  41. ^ Armstrong, Mark (2 September 2018). "Moldova reunification rally". Euronews.
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