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Established in 1994, The Romanian Cultural Centre in London (RCC) is an independent association promoting Romanian culture abroad.

Throughout the years we have been developing a collaborative network of interests and opportunities for the Romanian community living in the UK, contributing to England's multicultural milieu. We facilitate cultural exchanges between Britain and Romania, constantly aiming to improve our relationship. RCC also provides an up to date Guide containing information about Romanian institutions, organisations, businesses and services in the UK.

Our Work

We rely on the enthusiasm of our team of volunteers, who get involved in our programmes and help us improve invariably. Moreover, the Centre benefits from a number of voluntary British advisers on dealings with British institutions and audiences. These are friends of Romania, private or public persons from various institutions who have supported the Centre in its endeavours by encouraging us to bring new ideas to life. Besides the cultural activities implied by the name, RCC also plays an active part in the social life of the Romanian Diaspora in Britain.

Our History

The idea of establishing an organisation to represent Romanians in the UK dates from the '50s, when ACARDA (Asociatia Culturala a Romanilor din Anglia - The Cultural Association of the Romanians in England) was founded by Ion Ratiu and Horia Georgescu working together with various individuals, notably the ladies of the Romanian community.

In 1984 the UMRL (Uniunea Mondiala a Romanilor Liberi - The World Union of Free Romanians) was launched in Geneva to unite Romanians from all over the world. Ion Ratiu was elected the first President. From that date (1984) UMRL published a monthly newspaper in Romanian and English, 'Romanul Liber' (Free Romanian), which flourished until 1997. In 1984 a British branch of UMRL was founded, along with branches in 23 other countries. Sandu Pobereznic was elected as the first British President, and succeeded by Nicolae Ratiu in 1992.

The newspaper was closed and political activity sharply scaled down after the election of 1996, when it was considered that the objective of UMRL, the restoration of freedom and democracy to Romania, had largely been achieved.

In 1994 a group of London based Romanians established The Romanian Cultural Centre, in order to create a new non-political cultural organisation, aimed at satisfying the cultural and community needs of Romanians and Anglo-Romanians in England.

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The Romanian Cultural Centre
Manchester Square, London

RCC as an information network

The Romanian Cultural Centre in London (RCC) is a well-established information network. Our public announcements go to a large data base of subscribers and friends. The Centre regularly sends information by e-mail shots. All information is also posted on the RCC website and Facebook Page. When requested and if suitable, The Centre associates with other organisations interested in the Romanian community and publicises their information in this segment of the market.

Sources of income

Ratiu Family Foundation, grants, sponsorship, sales income (publications, tickets etc).

Information centre

In 1994 a group of London based Romanians established The Romanian Cultural Centre, in order to create a new non-political cultural organisation, aimed at satisfying the cultural and community needs of Romanians and Anglo-Romanians in England.

Our supporters

During this time we have also established and continued contacts with British institutions that have kindly supported our programmes and contributed to our projects: British Council, Visiting Arts, UCL - School of Slavonic and East European Studies, Birkbeck College, Byam Shaw School of Arts, International House, Hidden Art/Mazorca Projects, Crafts Council, Coin Street Festival, Ashford Place, Roma Support Group, European Cultural Foundation - Amsterdam, Lee Miller Archives, etc.);

We have also been maintaining links with cultural institutions in Romania (UNITER, The Sibiu International Theatre Festival, ECUMEST, The National Centre of Cinematography, The National University of Theatre and Cinematography, The Romanian Cultural Institute, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Cultural Department, Ministry of Education, University of Architecture 'Ion Mincu', Babes Bolyai University, Romanian Television, etc.);

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