The Romanian Cultural Institute invites you to an outstanding exhibition which celebrates and explores facets of FREEDOM. Three amazing award-winning photojournalists - Constantin Duma, Vadim Ghirdă, and Andreea Alexandru - showcase historic photography from the Romanian Revolution of 1989, the current war in Ukraine and the refugee crisis.
As we mark 34 years since the Romanian Revolution we bring into focus the value and meaning of freedom in transforming lives and nations. The exhibition will showcase photographs, newspaper articles and notes from the two events which have shaped the history of Europe. The opening event of this exhibition will take in the presence of the photojournalists and representatives of Timisoara 2023 – European Capital of Culture - our partner in organising this event.
We are also inviting you to explore our open-air exhibition, "Timisoara Incognito", which will be displayed on the railing surrounding our building in Belgrave Square. The exhibition, which will be displayed at the same time, celebrates Timisoara 2023 - Cultural Capital of Europe.
Andreea Alexandru’s photography focuses on the humanity and kindness shown by the millions of refugees who arrived in Romania, which has the longest border with Ukraine. Over six million crossings have taken place so far. Andreea started photojournalism in 2008 for Mediafax. In 2011, Andreea joined the Associated Press for which she has covered extensively the exodus of Ukrainian refugees and their integration into Romanian society. More recently she reported on the coronation of HM King Charles III and the state funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Constantin Duma is known as the “photographer of the Revolution” for the way he captured the popular uprising in Timisoara, which sparked the Romanian Revolution. Black and white images document extraordinary days in the Romanian fight against oppression. Constantin’s career spans over five decades, covering major political events, documentaries, the natural world and urban photography. He currently works for AGERPRES, the Romanian news wire.
Vadim Ghirdă chronicled through his photography the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Working for the Associated Press, Vadim photographed some of the defining moments in Ukraine’s fight for freedom. He is part of a group of photographers who were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for war photography. Vadim started his career in 1990, working for AP and has since covered the defining political moments of Romania as well as the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. More recently, he covered the bombardments of the United States against the Islamic State in Syria and the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.
When: 14 December 2023 – 15 January 2024
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8PH
