We wish the Romanian-American community and its friends a Happy New Year and a 2025 filled with meaningful relationship-building moments! 

Reflecting on 2024 in retrospect triggers fond memories of advancing the Connecticut-Romania relationship and community building in the Romanian Diaspora through the following initiatives:
➡️ attending the Inaugural Ball for Mayor of Hartford Arunan Arulampalam.
➡️ meeting His Imperial Highness, Prince Ermias Haile Selassie, esteemed grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, an heir to a throne of an imperial house that lasted longer than 2,000 years.
➡️ providing legislative testimony in support of pro-immigrant state bills, leading to the passage of the GEIR Bill into law, which would maximize H-1B visas available to international students, including Romanians, in Connecticut.
➡️ attending and speaking at the Grand Opening of Romanian businesses in CT such as Cus Boxing, Meriden Medspa and Alina’s Cakes & Cookies (Westport location).
➡️ participating in Romanian parties at A Villa Louisa (Asim Etem) and welcome visiting Romanian tenors Brio Sonores, as well as parties at Transilvania Restaurant and Bar.  We are blessed to have such rich Romanian cuisine offerings in Connecticut from these two venues plus Silvias International Restaurant and Alina's Cakes and Cookies.
➡️ attending the traditional January 24 Union of Romanian Principalities, Hram, festivals and fundraisers at the Holy Brancoveanu Martyrs Romanian Orthodox Church and the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, as well as Românul - SUA events celebrating Romanian culture and traditions, and Honorary Consulate Annual Picnic recognizing our volunteers.  We are blessed to have such thriving centers of Romanian community and events that bring us together.
➡️ working together with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal on several press conferences and joint public appearances to address the situation in Ukraine and Romania’s active help to Ukraine on several fronts, including right here in CT via the Connecticut for Ukraine Refugee Matching Program.  We are grateful to Senator Blumenthal for the Certificate of Special Recognition awarded to our Consulate for “steadfast friendship to Ukraine and contributions to CT’s economy”.
➡️ assisted the efforts of the Romanian Embassy to US in getting Romania admitted into the Visa Waiver Program by creating and distributing video content and written materials to potential Romanian B-1/ B-2 Visa applicants.
➡️ attended the Chicago Romanian Community Summit, the U.S.-Romania Economic Summit, the Day of Friendship  US-Romania, the Romanian Armed Forces Day and the National Day of Romania in D.C.
➡️ hosted Romania’s military delegation and assisted efforts in establishing a military collaboration with the CT National Guard.  Grateful to receive the Emblem of Honor of the Romanian Defense Staff, 4 stars.
➡️ welcomed distinguished guests at our Consulate’s headquarters, including Mark Twain International School Bucharest faculty and students, and several Romanian community members.
➡️ building strong friendships with other diplomatic representatives, including His Excellency Elvis Tuesta of Consulado General del Perú en Hartford and the Peruvian community, and several other diplomats from Brazil and Ecuador.
➡️ participating in various cultural festivals to showcase Romanian culture, such as The Gathering - Waterbury, Connecticut, New England’s largest multicultural festival, at the kind invitation of State Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr.  We were proud to present Asim Etem, owner of A Villa Louisa, as our nominee for CT Immigrant & Refugee Coalition - CIRC’s Annual Immigrant Awards and to have Asim showcase Romanian cuisine at the event.
➡️ attending two separate conferences hosted by the Ambasada României în Statele Unite ale Americii / Romanian Embassy to US in Washington, DC to gather all Consuls and Romanian Diaspora leaders.  During these events Honorary Consul Dana Bucin played a central role advancing Romania’s entry in the Visa Waiver Program and strategy discussions surrounding viable cross-border initiatives.
➡️ welcoming AmCham Romania, AmCham Moldova, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Hungarian commercial attachés to discussions on cross-border business opportunities.
➡️ two trips to Romania: 1) to attend the Băbdiu Village Reunion and participate in Honorary Citizen of Reghin ceremony, and 2) to attend and speak at the Repatriot Summit and Female Empowerment Summit.
➡️ organizing the National Day of Romania at the Connecticut State Capitol to celebrate 20 years of Romania in NATO featuring Brigadier General Thomas Olander, Jr. of the CT National Guard with the help of over 30 volunteers from our vibrant Romanian community and several sponsors such as Pratt & Whitney, Murtha Cullina LLP and The New Old School of Music, LLC.
➡️ writing several letters of recommendation for American Romanian Cultural Society’s National Heritage Award and college admission on behalf of bright young leaders from the Connecticut Romanian Diaspora.
We are excited to usher in a new year 2025 filled with visa mobility for Romanian visitors to the U.S.