Embassy Press Release

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Discursul Ambasadorului Nicholas Taubman • Landmarks of New York Exhibit

Remarks By Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the occasion of the Opening of the Landmarks of New York Exhibit

Bucharest City Museum
March 20, 2007

Director General Ionita,
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It's an honor and a pleasure to be here today in this beautiful historical building, home of the Bucharest City Museum, and former home of the Sutu family.

We are here today to mark an important event: the opening of our photographic exhibit: Landmarks of New York, which represents the first in a series of cultural events over the next three weeks dedicated to celebrating New York in Bucharest.

Why have we chosen to celebrate New York? Of course New York is America’s most important city, its cultural capital, an economic giant and the first stop for many foreigners who come to the United States. It is also the first place that comes to mind when we think about America.

Our goal this month is to celebrate the strong ties between Bucharest and New York, be they through family, business, education or culture.

I know those ties are strong, as I continually meet Romanians who travel to New York, study there, and even work there, many in the cultural field. I am pleased to say that these links will be facilitated further this summer when Delta Airlines begins direct flights between New York and Bucharest.

These ties are also meaningful and deep. I recall last September when President Basescu, Prime Minister Tariceanu, and hundreds of ordinary Romanian citizens joined us in front of the National Theatre to commemorate the victims of terrorism in New York and around the world. My wife, Jenny, and I, were extremely moved by the support offered to us by the citizens of Bucharest. Thank you once again for that support.

Today, in a more happy event, we are opening a photographic exhibit that will offer a tour through New York’s most important historic landmarks, those buildings and structures – such as the Empire State Building -- that have come to symbolize New York for all of us.

It also offers a lesson on historic preservation, one that perhaps has some meaning for Bucharest, Romanians seek to revive and restore it.

This exhibit was organized to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Law. Since its passage in 1965, New York has been in the forefront of what has become an established worldwide historic preservation movement.

In New York, this law protects nearly 23,000 structures – from parks and individual trees, to piers and bridges, cemeteries and archeological sites, as well as theatres, factories, museums and forts.

I know Bucharest has many historic structures as well, and that an active movement exists to help preserve many of those buildings.

Tonight we would also like to preview two upcoming events, one at the National Opereta Theatre on March 31 and another at the Romanian Atheneum on April 3, which will celebrate New York in music – including the music of Broadway and of jazz -- and in the verses of Romanian poet Ioana Ieronim.

But I would like to let our partners from these institutions give you the details on these events. Let me just say, I think you will find them to be very enjoyable and interesting.

Thank you all for coming, and I hope you enjoy the exhibit.

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