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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) 🌐 Translate comments

Красимира Петрова

Добре, че включват и деца от Украйна и Италия още в първата смяна. Много важно е да не забравят езика и традициите, особено когато са далеч. Интересно какво точно правят в тези лагери – дали има и уроци по история или само песни и танци?

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

Да, добре че са включили деца от Украйна и Италия още от първата смяна. В такива лагери обикновено има и уроци по история и родинознание, не само песни и танци – моят син като малък ходеше на подобни и се върна с цяла тетрадка бележки за българските войводи. А ти знаеш ли дали и нашите от България в чужбина ги канят на такива?

Elena García

Me alegra que incluyan a los niños de Ucrania e Italia desde la primera tanda, como dice Krasimira. Mi prima de Madrid llevó a sus dos hijos a un campamento parecido el año pasado y volvieron hablando rumano en casa y con ganas de visitar Bucarest. Ojalá hagan también algo de historia, no solo canciones.

Élodie Bernard

C’est bien qu’ils aient commencé tout de suite avec les enfants d’Ukraine et d’Italie. Ma fille aînée avait emmené ses garçons à un camp orthodoxe près de Strasbourg il y a deux ans ; ils ont fait un peu d’histoire et de catéchisme en plus des chants, ça leur a vraiment marqué. Je me demande si les ARC camps prévoient aussi des ateliers de broderie ou de cuisine traditionnelle.

Αντώνης Λαμπρόπουλος

Καλό είναι που ξεκίνησαν με παιδιά από Ουκρανία και Ιταλία από την πρώτη κιόλας βάρδια. Στα δικά μας κατασκήνωση της εκκλησίας κάνουμε και λίγο κατήχηση και ιστορία μαζί με τα τραγούδια, βοηθάει τα παιδιά να μην ξεχάσουν από πού είναι. Ελπίζω να βγουν και φέτος με κάνα τετράδιο σημειώσεις όπως του γιου της Τσβετάνκα.

Весна Николовска

Добро е што вклучуваат деца од Украина и Италија уште во првата смена. Кај нас во црквата минатото лето имавме слично со децата од дијаспората – правеа и кратки лекции за историја покрај песните, мојот внук се врати со неколку нови молитви на македонски. Интересно дали и овде ќе има нешто за верата или само култура.

Lucía Romero

Me alegra que tu prima viera resultados tan rápidos con sus hijos, el rumano en casa es una buena señal. Ojalá metan también algo de historia, sí, porque las canciones se olvidan si no sabes de dónde vienen. ¿Sabes si los campamentos incluyen visitas a sitios como el Monasterio de Curtea de Argeș o solo se quedan en talleres en Bucarest?