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Romania launches ARC camps to reconnect 9,000 diaspora youth with their heritage

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

The 2026 edition of the ARC Camps programme officially opened in Bucharest on Monday, with around 9,000 Romanian children and young people from the diaspora and historic Romanian communities expected to take part in activities throughout the summer aimed at strengthening their connection to Romania’s language, culture and traditions.

According to a press release from the Department for Romanians Abroad, the opening ceremony took place at the National Military Circle in Bucharest, attended by representatives of state institutions, the Romanian Patriarchate, diplomatic missions and Romanian communities abroad.

The event featured a traditional cultural programme prepared by volunteers and children from the first camp session, who arrived from Romanian communities in Ukraine and Italy. Young performers from the Romanian Song Offspring ensemble of the Romanian Folklore Foundation, led by Professor Valeria Arnăutu, also took part.

Keeping Romania close to heart Lavinia Arnăutu, director of the Department for Romanians Abroad. Photo credit: Facebook / Department for Romanians Abroad Lavinia Arnăutu, acting Director with the rank of State Secretary at the Department for…

Source: Basilica News Agency (English) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (8) 🌐 Show original

Красимира Петрова

It's good that they include children from Ukraine and Italy already in the first shift. It is very important that they do not forget the language and traditions, especially when they are far away. I wonder what exactly they do in these camps - are there history lessons or just songs and dances?

Samuel Anderson

Good to see kids from Ukraine and Italy right in the first group. My boys went to a similar church camp a couple summers back — they did some language drills and basic history alongside the singing and dancing. Keeps the roots from drying up when you're far away.

Цветанка Илиева

Yes, it's good that they included children from Ukraine and Italy right from the first shift. In such camps, there are usually lessons on history and patriotism, not only songs and dances - my son went to such as a child and came back with a whole notebook of notes about the Bulgarian voivodes. And do you know if our people from Bulgaria abroad also invite them to such?

Elena García

I am glad that they included children from Ukraine and Italy from the first batch, as Krasimira says. My cousin from Madrid took her two children to a similar camp last year and they came back speaking Romanian at home and wanting to visit Bucharest. I hope they also make some history, not just songs.

Élodie Bernard

It’s good that they started right away with the children from Ukraine and Italy. My eldest daughter took her boys to an Orthodox camp near Strasbourg two years ago; They did a little history and catechism in addition to singing, it really had an impact on them. I wonder if the ARC camps also provide embroidery or traditional cooking workshops.

Αντώνης Λαμπρόπουλος

Good thing they started with kids from Ukraine and Italy from the very first shift. In our church camps we also do a bit of catechism and history along with the songs, it helps the children not to forget where they are from. I hope they come out again this year with a notebook like Tsvetanka's son's.

Весна Николовска

It is good that they include children from Ukraine and Italy already in the first shift. At our church last summer, we had something similar with the children from the diaspora – they also did short history lessons in addition to the songs, my nephew came back with a few new prayers in Macedonian. I wonder if there will be something about religion or just culture here.

Lucía Romero

I'm glad your cousin saw such quick results with her children, the Romanian at home is a good sign. I hope they also include some history, yes, because the songs are forgotten if you don't know where they come from. Do you know if the camps include visits to sites like the Curtea de Argeș Monastery or do they only stay in workshops in Bucharest?