In Romania, 15 August reminds us, every year, of the  the death of Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ in the Orthodox Church. Virgin Mary is the spiritual protector of the Romanian Navy so it was only natural that 15 August  became the Marine Day or Navy Day.

This day was first celebrated onboard on Elisabeth cruiser by the Sea Division officers. The festivities took place for the first time in 1902.

In 1925 the sailors  celebrated the Navy Day onboard of vessel „Mircea”.

Year after year there were added to the traditional festivities (military air and naval parades) various sea contests (boating, swimming) and funny activities (duck chasing, fireworks) or theatrical representions dominated by the appearance of the god of water and sea, Neptune himself followed by his nymphes. Important religious ceremonies take place during this special day.

By tradition a flower anchor is thrown into the sea to remind us of the heroes who died in battles for their country.

So, these days, if you find yourself in Tomis Harbour (Constanta Harbour) or at sea on Romanian shores don’t forget to celebrate the Navy together with the locals.

P.S. Also to see at any time

DANUBE DELTA

DANUBE DELTA SEEN FROM THE SKY

Although the heaven between the three arms of the delta is one of the largest wetland in the world, Delta’s inhabitants have no idea about getting advantage from this and seem to be so stubborn to live like primitives.
There is no hope!
Unfortunately, the natural landscapes are the only good thing for people who live here, in the delta. Their life is far from being the paradise in the postcards, since more than half of the people of Delta are struggling to survive, mostly drinking water from the Danube or cooking the swans from the delta…
What to do?!
Old people and adult population from Delta seem weak and resigned, unwilling to fight, accustomed to the lack of roads and drains, but mostly to the lack of hope. Young people are caught in this ”trap” because they do not have access to a proper education: schools, teachers, books…They are condemned to live the life of their parents and their grandparents…with no improvement at all…
Imagine a day without school!
The children of Delta are the most affected ones by this desperate situation (no proper schools, no books for children, no computers, no teachers…) because they hardly have access to primary school, and sometimes the food offered by the school is the only meal of the day sometimes for the entire family. The children’ allowance is the only constant income for the adult population in the Delta…
Where to go?!
If Romanian government doesn’t take action concerning the future of these children – the poorer of the richest, Romania will be a beautiful place in the postcards, a traveling brand, a sad and dusty museum of a primitive civilization.
What can we do?!

Children have the right to education !

a sad  June 1 st, 2010