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Martin Harris

Minister and Deputy Head of Mission to Russia

Part of UK in Romania

14th April 2014

10 things I like about Romania

On leaving Romania, here are a few of my favourite things…

1. Shajjad and Katie Rizvi and the Temerari at Little People. You guys rock!

2. Monasteries, especially Putna, Voronets, Horezu, Bistrita and Schitul Darvari in Bucharest

Romanian churches

3. The fabulously talented kids of School No 136 in Ferentari

School No 136 in Ferentari.

4. And ‘Fiecare copil in grădiniță’ in Podari

Fiecare copil in Gardinita, Podari

5. Timeless landscapes like this one

Romanian Landscape

6. People who hunger and thirst for justice

urt of Cassation and Justice
urt of Cassation and Justice

7. Making a difference. Getting connected in Frumusani.

frumusani

8. Late nights at the Enescu festival

enescu

9. Best ballet dancers in the world.

Alina Cojocaru supporting Hospices of Hope
Alina Cojocaru supporting Hospices of Hope

10. Last but not least, ciorba de burta

ciorba

4 comments on “10 things I like about Romania

  1. And what about 10 things you did not like in Romania ?
    Let me help you with that:
    1.Coruption, not only at the higher level of power.
    2.Poverty, example: many pensionier people look for things in the garbage can, because you cannot make a decent living with 900 ron pension money or salary, witch is the equavalent of 200 euro (the majority of people in Romania have this minimum wage).
    3.Ingnorance, egoism are a plague in the population.
    4.Obesity, with people over 40.
    5.Collapsed economy.
    6.Manipulation, promises to live a decent life made by those in charge of
    the country.
    7. Darke age type hospitals, the majority of medical staff espects bribes, even if in state hospitals they don’t have medical gloves.
    8. Media is corupt and is “weeping on population shoulders”
    9. Gypsies are very aclaimed as a model to be followed (thiefs, Bercea Mondialul etc.), and cardboard models, like “vip” Dragusanu or the majority of “singers” who sings with the help of a computer software
    10. Foregneirs who give us false advising and investors who bankrupt institutions for many years and rob the country with the help of the state and the “law” (police, really a comunist militia, judges)
    I am a romanian, and if you are as transparent as you said, post this coment.

  2. It has been a real pleasure to follow your career as the UK Ambassador to Romania and was impressed by your professionalism.
    One of the things that impressed the most was how well you spoke Romanian. I can tell how difficult must have been for you to learn it, thus my admiration for you.
    I am one of those who don’t like ‘Miorita’, but your approach to its interpretation gave me some thinking as I did not see it that way.
    Wish you all the best in your future appointment and I am very keen to know how Tolstoy is read in Russian.

  3. There are a few things I like very much about you, Sir:
    You show friendship and respect to my country and to my people!
    You have exceptional observation skills and you make the necessary efforts to understand a different and complicated environment!
    You have what we call the typical British sense of humour!
    You smile frequently and you seem to be good hearted!
    And last but not least, you like …Ciorba de burta!
    God bless you and all the best wishes for your future career!
    Nadia Ionescu

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About Martin Harris

I am the Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Moscow. In my last job I was the Ambassador at the British Embassy in Bucharest. Previously I…

I am the Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy
in Moscow. In my last job I was the Ambassador at the British Embassy in
Bucharest. Previously I have served at the British Embassies in Kyiv
and Moscow as well as at the UK Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna.
I love music, especially opera, chamber and sacred music. I am
married to Linda MacLachlan. We have three daughters, Catriona, Tabitha
and Flora – and they have one dog Timur and two cats, Pushkin and Tolstoi.

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