The Constanța State Theater was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit in the rank of Commander

The Constanța State Theater was awarded the National Order of Cultural Merit in the rank of Commander, more than 70 years after its establishment.

Here is the text of the presidential decree:

"On the occasion of National Culture Day, in recognition of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the generations of theater practitioners, who have brought to life a significant number of characters and, in this way, contributed to the progress of Romanian theatrical art, the President of Romania decrees: The National Order of Cultural Merit in the rank of Commander, category D 'The Art of Performance', is awarded to the Constanța State Theater."

During a ceremony held at the Cotroceni Palace, the Order was presented on January 13 by the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, to the director of the Constanța State Theater, Erwin Șimșensohn, who was accompanied at the ceremony by Liviu Manolache – actor, composer, and director, who is celebrating 40 years since his stage debut in 1982.

In his speech following the presentation of the orders, the President of Romania addressed a few words to each of the individuals or institutions decorated:

"I am pleased to congratulate those who, over the 70 years since its founding, have taken the stage at the Constanța State Theater, serving over millennia the muse of Ovidius. (...)

Distinguished guests, I congratulate you on the high distinctions you have received! On the occasion of the approaching National Culture Day celebration, I wish you to remain in the hearts of the public for many years to come, and your work to remain forever among the valuable landmarks of our culture. Thank you!"

On this occasion, we are pleased to update and briefly recall the remarkable achievements of our theater over seven decades, through times that were rarely favorable to culture, times when the artists and other employees of the theater had to overcome numerous difficulties, most related to the censorship of the communist regime, and others to the abuses of local administration.

The Constanța State Theater is a public cultural institution, a repertory theater, the only institution of this kind in Dobrogea. The theater was founded in 1951 and has operated under several titles over time: it was "The Constanța State Theater" from 1951 to 1970, then became "The Theater of Drama and Comedy" between 1970 and 1974; "The Dramatic Theater" between 1974 and 1992, "The Ovidius Dramatic Theater" between 1992 and 2004; between 2004 and 2007, its title was changed to "The National Theater Constanța"; finally, since 2007, it has returned to its original name, "The Constanța State Theater," which it still holds.

The inaugural show of the Constanța State Theater, with its premiere on May 2, 1951, was the comedy "A Lost Letter" by I.L. Caragiale, a masterpiece of Romanian stage art.

Over the decades of its existence, our theater has had and still has great actors, great directors, staged plays by renowned Romanian and foreign playwrights, and can boast, to this day, numerous premieres nationwide, meaning performances that have seen the light of the Romanian stage for the first time in Constanța: "The Holiday" and "Nora and the Mother-in-law" by Goldoni, "The Night of the Iguana" by Tennessee Williams, "There Will Be No War in Troy" by Jean Giraudoux, "The Devil in Boston" by Lion Feuchtwanger, "Opera for Future Dictators" by Andonis Doriadis, or plays currently being staged, such as "The King Rat" by Matei Vișniec, "The Murder of Gonzago" by Nedialko Iordanov, "Let Me In" by John Ajvide Lindqvist, "Day Z" by Ionuț Sociu.

The theater has always had top actors (Vasile Cojocaru, Ileana Ploscaru, Jean Ionescu, Emil Sassu, Longin Mărtoiu, Virgil Andriescu, Eugen Mazilu, Diana Cheregi, Liviu Manolache, Lucian Iancu, Lică Gherghilescu, Iulian Enache, Ana Mirena, Elena and Titus Gurgulescu, Emil Bârlădeanu, Nina Udrescu, Cristina Oprean, etc.), but also younger, talented actors striving to surpass their masters.

"Antique Theater Evenings," a legendary event, represented an important moment in the annals of "Ovidius Dramatic Theater," which continues today through the organization of the International Theater Festival, which has had four editions.

Currently, our theater has the honor to participate in the development of a project initiated by the Union of European Theatres, the largest union of its kind on our continent, alongside 14 of the most prestigious theaters in Europe. The project, entitled "Catastrophe," will have a total budget of 4 million euros and will be submitted for co-financing under the "Creative Europe" program. The project will give us the opportunity to create an important international co-production and participate in tours in Europe, as well as a performance scholarship to be held in Portugal.

The current repertoire of our theater is rich, varied, and valuable, meeting the needs of the Constanța audience. We are also making every effort to adapt to the extraordinary conditions of this period, in which, after the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, we are also facing the lack of a performance space, as the Constanța State Theater's hall is under renovation.

The awarding of the "Cultural Merit" Order to our theater represents encouragement, recognition of all these achievements, and a posthumous tribute to all those who dedicated their lives to the Constanța stage.