Fundația Alexandrion

The Alexandrion Foundation announces the laureates of the 10th edition of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala

The Alexandrion Foundation announces the laureates of the 10th edition of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala who were awarded for an outstanding project developed in the previous year or for an exceptional life-long career in 7 fields: film, history, theater, architecture, visual arts, literature, and music. The Gala took place at the Alexandrion Experience Hotel in Sinaia.

The gala will be broadcast on November 18th, starting at 23:00, on Digi24 TV.

Dr. Nawaf Salameh, Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Group and the Alexandrion Foundation said: “These ten years have swiftly gone by. I remember very well the first edition. Our initial aim was to reward those who have had a significant contribution to the cultural and scientific evolution of Romania, as Constantin Brâncoveanu himself had. We began in Romania and continued with international editions. I have often seen joy in the eyes of our great actors, musicians, historians, architects, painters, doctors, economists, whom we awarded in Romania. And I have even seen tears in the eyes of extraordinary Romanians living abroad, that we awarded in their adoptive countries and who did not expect this recognition. All these reactions and the fact that we have managed to bring to the forefront projects and people who are at the top of their game, who can inspire those around them, are the greatest satisfactions that we have had with this gala.”

The 2023 edition awardees are:

Ada Hausvater, Theater, Award for leadership in theatre and outstanding presence of the National Theatre “Mihai Eminescu” in Timișoara within the “Timișoara 2023 – European Capital of Culture”;
Mircea Platon, Literature, Award for the outstanding contribution as poet and essayist in 2022;
Dorel Vișan, Film, Award for an exceptional career;
Doina Rotaru, Music, Award for an exceptional career;
Stefan Pelmuș, Visual Arts, Award for an exceptional career;
Daniel Zielinski & Mr. Maximilian Zielinski, Architecture, Award for the work completed in 2023: “Collective housing 10-14 Rabat Street”
Ioan-Aurel Pop, History, Award for the book “Romanian Medieval Institutions. The nobility and nobiliary assemblies in Transylvania between the 14th and 16th centuries”.

The three special awards of this edition were given by the Alexandrion Foundation to personalities from abroad, recognized for their significant efforts in supporting the community to which they belong:

His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church of Cilicia.Special Award for the contribution to the Middle East peace and religious dialogue;
Can Arap, Special Award for the work on behalf of the victims of the earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria in February 2023;
Lisa Liberatore, Special Award for the work on behalf of adults with autism in association with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons (New York, USA).

Starting this year, the Alexandrion Foundation will award a Matei Brâncoveanu Award in one of the categories awarded at the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala. This edition the award was given to Mr. Lucian Vasile for the book “The War of Spies. Secret actions of the Romanian exile at the beginning of communism”.

This year’s jury was chaired by President, Prof. Univ. Dr. Daniel David – Member of the Romanian Academy, Rector of Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and Psychologist and Vice President & Judge of the Visual Arts category: Ștefan Râmniceanu – painter, sculptor, poet, filmmaker, along with its members: Prof. Univ. Dr. Ludmila Patlanjoglu – Theaterologist, historian and theater critic; Prof. Dr. Nicolae Iliescu – Writer, essayist and publicist; Magda Mihăilescu – Film Critic; Sorina Goia – Musicologist; Prof. Univ. Dr. Marian Moiceanu- Rector of the University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu” and Architect; : Prof. Dr. Constantin Corneanu – Historian and President of the Board of Directors of The European Association of Geopolitical and Strategic Studies “Gheorghe I. Brătianu”.

The musical moments of the Gala were performed by soprano Irina Baianț, pianist Marius Deneș, and the crossover band Brio Sonores, accompanied by Bucharest Symphony Orchestra and its musicians led by conductor Andrei Tudor.

More information about previous editions of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala is available online at www.fundatia-alexandrion.ro.

About the Alexandrion Foundation
The Alexandrion Foundation emerged following numerous social activities carried out by the companies’ part of Alexandrion Group. Projects have been carried out under Alexandrion Foundation’s patronage for more than 20 years. Alexandrion Foundation follows the Alexandrion Group in its evolution. The Alexandrion Foundation actively supports culture since 2014 with Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards, it honours excellence through the Constantin Brâncoveanu Diaspora Awards and the Constantin Brâncoveanu International Awards. Through the Matei Brâncoveanu Awards, Alexandrion Foundation recognizes the development potential of younger people for research and exceptional achievements in their field of activity. Over the years, the Foundation has also supported Romanian sports performance. Alexandrion Trophies honour the international performance of Romanian athletes since 2016. The Foundation supported the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee at the Olympic from 2004 to 2012 aiming to encourage young athletes to obtain the best possible results.

The Alexandrion Foundation expresses its deepest regrets for the passing away of the academician Dumitru Radu Popescu, novelist, playwriter, eseist, who was a prominent member of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala jury, since the first edition, in 2014, but also laureate of the literature category, in 2015 and 2022.

“The passing away of the writer Dumitru Radu Popescu is a huge loss for the Romanian culture. His work, which includes novels, theater, poetry, literary criticism, is extremely valuable and represents a very strong source of inspiration for posterity. Through his involvement in the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala, as a member of the jury, Acad. Dumitru Radu Popescu contributed significantly to the efforts of the Alexandrion Foundation to identify, bring to the forefront and reward the values of Romanian culture for their remarkable work done over the years. We will forever be grateful to him for the support that he provided to the foundation and we will keep his memory alive. Condolences to the grieving family and may the soul of the great Romanian writer rest in peace” said Dr. Nawaf Salameh, President of the Alexandrion Foundation.

Academician Dumitru Radu Popescu was a double laureate of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala. In 2015, he thanked for the award in the literature category, which was awarded to him, comparing it to a “grandson of the Nobel Prize”, from Romania.

In 2022, he was again laureate of the Gala, in the literature category, this time for the poetry volume “One hundred and one poems”. Unfortunately, he could not be present at the event, but he sent a message through which he synthesized, expressively and cheerfully, the essence of the Romanian people.

Watch a short video with reference moments from the galas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_-dX5i6LxU

Dumitru Radu Popescu was a novelist, playwriter, screenwriter, member of the Romanian Academy and general director of the Romanian Academy Publishing House. Throughout his career he was editor-in-chief of the Tribuna magazine, from Cluj-Napoca, editor-in-chief of the Contemporanul and România Liberă magazines, as well as president of the Writers’ Union.

The passing away of Acad. Dumitru Radu Popescu is a huge and undeserved loss at the beginning of 2023.

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About the Alexandrion Foundation

The Alexandrion Foundation emerged following numerous social activities carried out by the companies’ part of Alexandrion Group. Projects have been carried out under Alexandrion Foundation’s patronage for more than 20 years. Alexandrion Foundation follows the Alexandrion Group in its evolution. The Alexandrion Foundation actively supports culture since 2014 with Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards, it honours excellence through the Constantin Brâncoveanu Diaspora Awards and the Constantin Brâncoveanu International Awards. Through the Matei Brâncoveanu Awards, Alexandrion Foundation recognizes the development potential of younger people for research and exceptional achievements in their field of activity. Over the years, the Foundation has also supported Romanian sports performance. Alexandrion Trophies honour the international performance of Romanian athletes since 2016. The Foundation supported the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee at the Olympic from 2004 to 2012 aiming to encourage young athletes to obtain the best possible results.

The Alexandrion Foundation signs partnership with The American University of Kurdistan

As part of the partnership, select students of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) will come to Romania to intern with the Alexandrion Foundation in various areas, and members of the Alexandrion Foundation network will present lectures to the AUK community in topics such as international business, political relations, marketing, and other topics.

The Alexandrion Foundation, part of the Alexandrion Group, announces the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) initiating a partnership between the Alexandrion Foundation and the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Alexandrion Foundation and AUK have teamed up to promote student workforce preparedness and the public and private sector capacity building in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The collaborative framework between these two parties is targeted on initiatives that advance the shared organizational objectives of the parties.

The Alexandrion Foundation’s mission is to support excellence in education and expand learning opportunities for students in order to ensure their global preparedness. The American University of Kurdistan’s mission is to shape leaders of the future by providing American-style education, innovative research, and career-orientated programs. Together, the Alexandrion Foundation and AUK are advancing opportunities for students in Kurdistan.

Dr. Nawaf Salameh, Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Foundation and the Alexandrion Group said: “This partnership is in line with the core values of the Alexandrion Foundation and its global impact goals and it made perfect sense from the first moment when we met with the representatives of AUK and we understood what the University stands for. We will make all the necessary efforts to support AUK’s mission, we have had some very interesting, revealing meetings with the students, we were impressed with their enthusiasm, skills and knowledge and we look forward to receiving them to Romania and provide them with the opportunity to assist and work with professionals from various areas.”

Mr. Nicholas S. Kass, Executive Director of International Corporate Affairs for the Nawaf Salameh Family Office and the Alexandrion Group, noted that the Office, the Group, and the Foundation seek to understand, support, and become part of the of the fabric of the societies in which they operate, and to build bridges between the West and the East. “The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is a strategic location, and we want to contribute to its success,” he added.

The Parties intend to develop the following collaborative activities:

(a) Student internships: AUK students going to Romania to intern with the Alexandrion Foundation in areas of marketing/communications, hospitality, finance/accounting, product development, market research.

(b) AUK staff mobility: AUK staff observing the operations of units within the Alexandrion Foundation to gain an understanding of international best practices.

(c) Guest speakers: Members of the Alexandrion Foundation’s network presenting lectures to the AUK community in topics such as international business, political relations, marketing.

(d) Governmental capacity-building: the Alexandrion Foundation providing experts to conduct trainings for the public sector within Kurdistan.

(e) Kurdistan market studies: AUK providing its faculty and students for the Alexandrion Foundation’s market research within Kurdistan.

Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of the American University of Kurdistan, concluded: „The American University of Kurdistan is a young university and needs to foster internationalization initiatives to ensure that its students become globally prepared and the faculty and staff uphold international best practices. The relationship with the Alexandrion Foundation supports these objectives by providing internships for students and capacity building opportunities for AUK’s employees. It also supports cross-cultural understanding at a time when the global economy opens markets and overcomes national borders.”

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About the Alexandrion Foundation

Dr. Nawaf Salameh, the first Romanian invested Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

Dr. Nawaf Salameh, the Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Group and the Alexandrion Foundation, has become the first ever Romanian to be invested as a member of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The mission of the Archons is to support religious freedom for the Mother Church in Constantinople, promote the Orthodox Christian faith and its solidarity worldwide, and to pursue understanding and comity among people of all the world’s great religious faiths.

Dr. Salameh was invested as Archon on October 9, in a ceremony after Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York. On October 8, he was presented with the Order’s Sophia Award for Excellence in recognition of his distinguished service to the Holy Mother Church and the Archons’ sacred mission.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, accompanied by His Eminence Demetrios, former Archbishop of America, presided at the investiture ceremony at which thirty-six new Archons from across the United States were admitted into the Order. Also present was His Beatitude Theodore II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, who presided over the Divine Liturgy.

Commenting on his investiture, Dr. Salameh observed that “We are defined by our beliefs and values. And some of us have been blessed with the opportunity to put these to work for the benefit of the wider community. I have always been guided by my faith in Jesus Christ, and have sought freedom, which can only have full meaning in the context of that faith, in every aspect of my life. I am honored and grateful to have been inducted into the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle—the First Called—among the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Beatitude Theodore II, I received the Offikion (office) of the Confidential Envoy of the Ecumenical Patriarch—and Cross of St. Andrew, thus joining the Archon Class of 2022. As an Archon, I will devote myself to the Order’s great mission on behalf of the Mother Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

Images from the ceremony can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oe0uMD6Bls

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros told the new Archons: “This day for the installation of the new class of Archons is indeed an auspicious one. For it is occurring in the presence of His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa. You are receiving the high office and name of ‘Archon’ at this first and very special Patriarchal Divine Liturgy, presided over by the one who is enthroned on the See of Saint Mark the Apostle and Evangelist—and on the very day of his enthronement eighteen years ago, no less.”

His Eminence added that the Archons were being endowed by His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, “with the Offikion that he has personally selected for you. Let his brother Patriarch, standing before you, be a perpetual memorial in your souls of the great honor bestowed upon you, and of the responsibility that you now bear to defend and magnify the Mother Church of Constantinople with all your strength, with all your heart, and with all your mind. May you always be worthy! ΑΞΙΟΙ!”

Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, the National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, also offered his heartfelt congratulations to the Archon class of 2022 and praised the Order’s systematic, comprehensive, and dilligent selection process.

Dr. Nawaf Salameh and Mrs. Rim Daoud were presented the Archon Sophia Award for Excellence

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Annual Archon Agape Luncheon in New York, the Order of St. Andrew presented the Archon Sophia Award for Excellence to Archon Dr. Nawaf Salameh, Mrs. Rim Daoud Salameh, and to Archon Boris Gourov—Alexandrion Group’s partner in Bulgaria—and Mrs. Youlianna Gurova. The Sophia Award for Excellence is given annually by the Order to an individual or individuals for distinguished service to the Holy Mother Church and the Sacred Mission of the Archons. This year, the Salamehs and Gurovs were recognized for facilitating the June 2022 visit of the Archon leadership to Romania and Bulgaria, including meetings with senior Orthodox leaders, government officials, and American diplomats in these countries.

Dr. Maria A. Limberakis, wife of Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, presided over the luncheon and offered commentary on the role of an Archon from a family perspective. Dr. Maria Limberakis stated that “Archon-elect Nawaf Salameh and Rim Daoud from Romania exemplify what it means to live a life in service. They are staunch supporters of the Mother Church and our Orthodox Faith in Romania, Bulgaria, and throughout Europe (…) On a recent religious freedom mission to Bulgaria and Romania, they embraced our delegation as family. They arranged meetings with the highest level of civil and ecclesiastical authorities, individuals who can further the Archons’ mission of religious freedom.”

Nicholas S. Kass, Executive Director for International Corporate Affairs at the Alexandrion Group, noted that “the Salamehs and the Gurovs are being honored today in part for the indispensable service rendered to the Archons, and to the Ecumenical Patriarchate itself…As a former diplomat, I can attest to the ground-breaking nature of this trip, coming as it did at a time of war between the West and Russia in Ukraine.” Mr. Kass, who accompanied Dr. Salameh and the delegation throughout the region, observed that the Archons “came with a message of support for His All Holiness, an emphasis on our common Orthodox faith and heritage, and an abiding sensitivity to local traditions and mores—the building blocks of future progress in these relations.” He also encouraged the Archons to continue thinking of the awardees as the Order’s diplomats in a region that is of vital importance to the Orthodox faith and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. “With this recognition and support, they will continue to help expand the Archons’ understanding and perception of the wider dynamics among Orthodox countries, the particular interests of Orthodox establishments in this region and the Middle East, and of the myriad other ancient Christian denominations, which are persevering in the face of unprecedented challenges to their survival. This, in turn, will help you devise wise policy in pursuit of the Archon’s core mission, an in reestablishing the health and order of the Orthodox ecumene throughout the world.”

The Alexandrion Foundation has hosted the delegation of the Saint Andrew Order, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on their religious freedom mission to Romania

Mr. Nawaf Salameh, Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Group and The Alexandrion Foundation: „I wish that Romania becomes a role model of religious freedom for other countries”

The Alexandrion Foundation, part of the Alexandrion Group has hosted a delegation of Greek Orthodox Christians from the United States, part of the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, that visited Romania on a religious freedom mission. The visit is part of a tour in the Southeastern Europe from June 8 to June 19, 2022, during which the Archons and their associates will meet with some of the key religious and political leaders of Romania, Bulgaria and Greece to discuss Orthodox solidarity and freedom of religion issues and to explain the mission of the Archons, underscoring Orthodoxy’s ethnic richness and respect for local cultures, and above all its universal, transcendent appeal. They also hope to foster stronger connections among Orthodox communities in the USA and the Mother Church in Constantinople and among Orthodox countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus based on strong shared commitment to Orthodox faith and traditions.

The delegation includes Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order; Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis, the Order’s National Vice Commander; Father Alexander Karloutsos, Spiritual Advisor of the Order; Archon Candidate Nawaf Salameh, Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Group and the Alexandrion Foundation; Archon John Mindala; and Nicholas S. Kass, Executive Director for International Corporate Affairs, Alexandrion Group, along with an accompanying delegation consisting of Dr. Maria A. Limberakis and Mrs. Helen Bozonelis.

The mission began in Romania on June 9th. The delegation met with Mr. Sergiu Nistor, Presidential Counsellor, Department for Culture, Religious Affairs and Ethnic Minorities, His Grace Varlaam Ploieșteanul, assistant bishop to Patriarch Daniel of All Romania and Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Mr. Mircea Abrudean, Head of the Chancellery of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Mrs. Irina-Dumitrița Solomon, Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister and David Muniz, Charge d’Affaires Ad-Interm at the US Embassay in Romania. On the evening of June 9th the delegation also attended the Queen’s Birthday Party, organized by the British Embassy in Bucharest, which provided a good opportunity for the Archons and their associates to meet with Romanian representatives from politics, business environment, the press, and more.

A strong supporter of religious freedom and open dialogue among interfaith communities, the Alexandrion Foundation has facilitated the meetings of the delegation in Romania and promoted its mission and messages in the public space.

Mr. Nawaf Salameh, Founding Chairman of the Alexandrion Group and the Alexandrion Foundation said: „The Alexandrion Group, the Alexandrion Foundation, my family and myself have been supporting religious freedom for more than 30 years, getting involved in initiatives and projects that mediate the dialogue among different religious. Constantin Brancoveanu, the patron of the Foundation was a promoter of religious freedom himself and we have always aimed to follow in his footsteps and play a role that is similar to the one that he played 350 years ago in the religious world. I was born and raised in a family with multiple religions, also my two eldest sons are Greek Othodox and my youngest is Maronite Catholic. For me, religious freedom is a human right that is as important as the right to life. And I wish that one day Romania becomes a role model of religious freedom for other countries.

This is the reason why I was so happy to invite and receive the visit of the delegation of the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and to support them in their mission. I am equally proud to have been nominated Archon candidate and I look forward to joining the order. Saint Andrew, the spiritual patron of Romania, was born in Syria in a village that is located 16 kilometers away from my home town, Marmarita, so at spiritual level everything is connected and makes sense to me”.

Talking about the role of the Archons, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order, said: „The single mission of the Archons, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is to fight for religious freedom for the Mother Church in Constantinopole and for all the children of Abraham, all faiths. We have programs in each of the 50 states promoting religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We work with the State Department, the Congress, the White House and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.”

Dr. Limberakis explained that the selection process of an Archon is very rigurous. Each candidate requires the blessings Of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and the ultimate approval of His Holiness The Ecumenical Patriarch: „An Archon is nominated by another Archon or clergyman. They nominate the individual to the governing body of the Order Saint Andrew called the National Council. We have a selection committee that vets each Archon candidate. We look at what is their position on the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we receive letter of recommendations from priests and two other Archons. We also look at the candidate’s willingness to give their time and talent to the Order. We have teams of archons who are experts in legal, accounting, marketing or branding.”

Regarding his background and mission with the Order of Saint Andrew and also about the visit to Romania, Father Alexander Karloutsos, the Spiritual Advisor of the Order said: „I have been very blessed to do what I do for the Church. I am blessed to be an Orthodox priest. I am blessed to be in this great land of Romania, with great spiritual traditions which I admire very much. The famous Romanian writer and philosopher Mircea Eliade was one of the people who brought Orthodoxy into USA, but from a philosophical point of view and I have a great respect for him.”

Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis, the Order’s National Vice Commander concluded: „We want to thank Alexandrion Group, the Alexandrion Foundation and Mr. Nawaf Salameh for hosting us. We appreciate his business because part of what we are doing here is releated to business. We are also in Romania because of the strategic importance of Romania with respect to its position within the EU, as well as its strategic position with respect to the Balkan area and with respect to Romanian Orthodox issues. We want to ensure that values that you have in Romania as well as in other countries continue and religious freedom should be part of those traditional values. We were at the Romanian Patriarchate and talked about the fact that we want to develop a continuous relation, we do not want this to be just one visit. We also visited the United States Embassy in Romania and we talked about issues such as human trafficking which we are all concerned about, Ukrainian refugees and we have to thank Romania for all they have done for the refugees, not only through the Patriarchy, but through the Government. Through our relationships with the US Government we think we can support this partnership”.

On the evening of Sunday, June 12th, the delegation proceeded to Bulgaria and will then visit Greece being set to arrive in New York City on June 19th.

The Alexandrion Foundation is providing support to the Romanian state authorities, national higher education institutions, religious organizations and international organizations focusing on humanitarian issues.
The Alexandrion Group has ended its partnership with the Russian-based vodka producer Beluga Group, and thus has assumed financial losses of approximately 1 million Euros.

The Alexandrion Group is strongly involved in supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine through a series of humanitarian actions developed through the Alexandrion Foundation. In order to increase the impact of these actions and to provide assistance to as many people directly affected by the crisis in Ukraine as possible, the Alexandrion Foundation is in contact with the Romanian state authorities, national higher education institutions, religious organizations and international organizations, focusing on humanitarian issues.

Mr. Nawaf Salameh, Founding President of the Alexandrion Group and President of the Alexandrion Foundation, noted that “we live extremely difficult and sad times for humanity, a situation that, unfortunately, is not unfamiliar to me personally. Although I have lived in Romania for almost 40 years, my lived experience in my native country, Syria—a beautiful country, but so deeply affected by the war—is undeniably imprinted in my mind and soul. I know what it means to be constantly afraid that you could lose your life or, worse, that you could lose your parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, at any time. It is a feeling that is difficult to describe, and impossible to feel if you have never had such an experience. I am shaken by the suffering of the Ukrainian refugees, the uncertainty and fear in which they live, because I know them very well. I feel these people as close to me as my relatives. That is why I want to do everything in my power to help as many of them as possible” he said.

The Alexandrion Foundation has contacted universities in several areas of the country, including Suceava, seeking partners for programs in support of current university students, including in Master’s and PhD programs, and for refugees. The students will also have the opportunity to apply for the Foundation’s internship programs and subsequently for employment with the Group. Through these programs, the Alexandrion Foundation will help young people nurture their professional aspirations amid the current crisis, and help them to gain professional experience, and earn income, with the Group.

The Alexandrion Foundation made available to the Romanian state authorities the entire space previously occupied by the SABER Distilleries 1789 in Rădăuţi (Suceava County) in order to be organized to support the Ukrainian refugees. The entire production activity of the SABER Distilleries 1789 was transferred several years ago to the Alexandrion Saber Distilleries 1789, located in Bucov (Prahova county), Dealu Mare region.

The Ukrainian business partners of the Alexandrion Group, together with their families will benefit from accommodation at the Rhein & CIE Azuga 1892 Cellars, in Azuga(Prahova County). Two refugee families are already accommodated at the Cellars, and the representatives of the Group are in permanent contact with other partners in order to take them over immediately, if necessary. Also, logistical and operational support will be provided to all the partners of the Group, Ukrainian businesspeople, in case they would like to continue their activity, safely, in Romania.

“It is very important for Ukrainian businesspeople to continue their activity, in order to be able to contribute to the recovery of the economy when this crisis will end and to be able to help those around them. We will give them all the support they need: we will help them open bank accounts, we will put them in contact with legal advisers and we will do everything necessary, on the business side, so that they do not have to interrupt their activity “added Mr. Nawaf Salameh.

Alexandrion Group has also terminated its partnership with Russian-based vodka producer Beluga Group.

“In the current context, we can no longer continue our partnership with Beluga Group. I am an entrepreneur who owns a global business and understands very well that it is vital that entrepreneurs from all over the world are responsible and bold in these moments and act quickly. I am ready to take on losses of almost 1 million euros, the equivalent of the stock purchased from Beluga Group, to stand 100% by those who do everything possible to end this crises as soon as possible “, concluded Mr. Nawaf Salameh.

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About the Alexandrion Group

Alexandrion Group is leader in the production and distribution of spirits and wines in Romania and the only single malt producer in the country. The group has a history of over 200 years in the local spirit industry, producing some of the strongest brands in Romania, at THE ALEXANDRION SABER 1789 DISTILLERIES, recognized both nationally and internationally for their quality and refinement. The product portfolio includes traditional Romanian drinks and international products. Alexandrion 5 * and 7 *, the famous Brâncoveanu XO, VS and VSOP vinars, SABER Elyzia fruit liqueur, Zolmyr fruit distillate, Kreskova Vodka and other products have ensured the Group the leading position of the Romanian spirit and traditional drinks market. Starting with 2018, the Group expanded its activity, completing its portfolio with award-winning, still and sparkling wines, produced by The Iconic Estate Winery. More details on www.alexandriongroup.com.

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About the Alexandrion Foundation

Alexandrion Foundation emerged following numerous social activities carried out by the companies part of Alexandrion Group. Projects have been carried out under Alexandrion Foundation’s patronage for more than 20 years. Alexandrion Foundation follows the Alexandrion Group in its evolution. The Alexandrion Foundation actively supports culture since 2014 with Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards, it honours excellence through the Constantin Brâncoveanu Diaspora Awards and the Constantin Brâncoveanu International Awards. Through the Matei Brâncoveanu Awards, Alexandrion Foundation recognizes the development potential of younger people for research and exceptional achievements in their field of activity. Over the years, the Foundation has also supported Romanian sports performance. Alexandrion Trophies honour the international performance of Romanian athletes since 2016. The Foundation supported the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee at the Olympic from 2004 to 2012 aiming to encourage young athletes to obtain the best possible results.

Professionals from 8 areas: medicine, film, history, theater, architecture, visual arts, literature and music were awarded for remarkable accomplishments throughout their career or for projects and works which have attracted the appreciation of the public and of the critics, in the previous year. The Alexandrion Foundation also awarded the honorary distinction of the Gala.

The Alexandrion Foundation announces the laureates of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2021, one of the most important cultural events in Romania, organized this year, on the 15^th of October. Professionals from 8 areas: Medicine, Film, History, Theater, Architecture, Visual Arts, Literature and Music were awarded for remarkable accomplishments throughout their career or for projects and works which attracted the appreciation of the audience and of the critics in the previous year. The Alexandrion Foundation honoured, thus, just like every year starting from 2014, the significant contribution of the laureates of the Gala to the scientific and cultural evolution of Romania.

The laureates of the 2021 edition of the Gala are:

Dr. Margit Șerban – Medicine (award for the exceptional career)
Mircea Radu Iacoban – Literature (award for the book „The Romanian Contemporary Theater”, the Romanian Academy Publishing House)
Bogdan Jitea – History (award for the book „Cinema in RSR”, Polirom Publishing House)
George Banu – Theater (award for the exception career)
Adrian Zerva – Architecture (award for the project „Dacia One” from Bucharest)
Mircia Dumitrescu – Visual Arts (award for the exceptional career)
Gabriel Croitoru – Music (award for the exceptional career)
Mircea Andreescu – Film (award for the role in the movie „After 40 days”, director Andrei Gruzsniczki)

The jury was made of personalities from the Romanian cultural and scientific environment: Prof. Univ. Dr. Irinel Popescu – Surgeon, Magda Mihăilescu – Film Critic, Dr. Constantin Corneanu – Historian, Prof. Univ. Dr. Ludmila Patlanjoglu – Theater Critic, Prof. Univ. Dr. Arh. Marian Moiceanu – The Rector of the Architecture and Urbanism University Ion Mincu, Ștefan Râmniceanu – Visual Artist, Dumitru Radu Popescu – Writer and Sorina Goia – Musicologist. Acad. Răzvan Theodorescu was the President of the Jury and Prof. Dr. Andrei Marga was the Vice-president.

The Alexandrion Foundation awarded the honorary distinction of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2021 to His Excellency, Miguel Maury Buendia, Apostolic Nuntio in Romania, in sign of gratitude for the tremendous influence on the ecclesiastical life throughout His presence in Romania, developing and strengthening the ties between Vatican and Romania and the significant contribution to the long-awaited visit of Pope Francisc to our country.

Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2021 can be watched online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh-E3lfNTcU and on the Facebook and LinkedIn channels of the Alexandrion Foundation.

Unlike the previous editions, attended by hundreds of guests, this year, the event took place in a safe environment, with a limited number of guests, meeting all the legislative measures in force, imposed by the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2021 was hosted by the TV journalist Teodora Tompea and broadcast on October 23rd at Digi 24 TV. The novelty elements compared with the previous years were related to the impressive production from the Digi24 studio, where the event took place. State-of-the-art technology (lights, screens, video projection, etc.) which allowed the awarding in a similar format as the TV productions was used, so the TV audience can feel more connected to the event and to the laureates, even if they were not present in the room.

The musical programme at the Gala was performed by the New Hope Ensemble, an exceptional classical music trio, made of Octavian Lup – cello, Adrian Vasile – viola and Radu Dunca – violin.

Launched in 2014, Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala has honoured over 70 contemporary personalities so far, among which writes, actors, architects, historians, doctors, scientits and clercs who, through their work and accomplishments have significantly influenced the evolution of the Romanian society.

Historical visit to Romania of one of the most proeminent spiritual leaders: the Alexandrion Foundation received, between 21^st-27^th of September, a guest with an extraordinary influence on the interfaith communities. His Beatitude Youssef Absi, the Patriarch of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church from Antioch and All the East visited Romania for the first time, upon the invitation of the Alexandrion Foundation. During his stay in Romania, His Beatitude Absi visited Orthodox and Catholic establishments, representative for Romania and met with their leaders, had meetings with representatives of the Presidency and visited the production facilities of the Alexandrion Group. The Patriarch was accompanied to his visits and meetings by his delegation and by Mr. Nawaf Salameh, the President and Founder of the Alexandrion Group and of the Alexandrion Foundation.

His Beatitude Absi is a laureate of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2020, within which the Alexandrion Foundation granted Him the honorary distinction.

His journey to Romania began with a visit to Ghighiu Monastery from Prahova county, where His Beatitude Absi prayed for world peace and peace of the souls of the deceased, at the wonder-making icon of Virgin Mary from the church, donated to Ghighiu Monastery by the Bishop Vasile Samaha from Sergiopolis, Syria, in 1958.

On September 22^nd, His Beatitude Absi was a special guest at the Bishops’ Conference, organized by the Roman-Catholic Archdiocese from Bucharest at the Carmelite Monastery from Ciofliceni, where he met with Roman-Catholic and Greek-Catholic Bishops from Romania. Within the conference, the Patriarch presented the situation of the Middle East Christians.

One of the important visits made by His Beatitude Absi during his stay in Romania, was at the Romanian Patriarchy, where He met with the Holy Father Varlaam Ploieşteanul, Patriarchal Vicar Bishop. At the end of the meeting, His Beatitude Absi shared impressions about his visit to our country, that he called, „a pilgirmage visit”.

„I came to Romania upon the invitation of one of our Christians, I visited a few monasteries and churches, but what touched me the most was the faith of the Romanian people. The visit that I have just made at the Romanian Patriarchy was an opportunity for me to get to know, even if only briefly, the Romanian Orthodox Church. I have realized that the Romanian Orthodox Church not only takes care of its believers, but also of those from other religious communities” said His Beatitude Absi.

The Alexandrion Foundation granted His Beatitude Absi its honorary distinction

A special day, with a special significance for the Alexandrion Foundation and the history of Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala was September 24^th, the day when Mr. Nawaf Salameh, handed His Beatitude Absi, the distinction of the Alexandrion Foundation. The ceremony took place at the Romanian Academy, in the presence of the President of Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala, Acad. Răzvan Theodorescu and members of the jury.

The Alexandrion Foundation granted this distinction to His Beatitude Absi within the 2020 gala organized online, for His extraordinary influence on the interfaith communities and the exceptional aspiration to lead by exhortation the Greek-Catholic Melkite Church.

“I have always admired Romania, for its culture, its tradition, its cultural and spiritual heritage and I hope that in the future the relations between our countries and our churches will continue and consolidate. There are cultural exchanges between our countries and religious exchanges between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Greek Melkite Catholic Church and I believe that this tradition, which began during the time of my predecessors, must continue. For us, Romania has been like an elder brother and we are proud of this relationship. Mr. Nawaf Salameh, thank you once again for this honour” said His Beatitude Absi.

“The mission of the Alexandrion Foundation and my mission, as well, is to honour the cultural heritage left by Constantin Brâncoveanu, through awards that reward the people with remarkable professional accomplishments, true values and sources of inspiration for all of us. This mission will continue both in Romania and abroad, by offering, as well, awards to personalities from the Middle East, an area where Constantin Brâncoveanu had a tremendous influence. I believe that there are 2000 years-old ties between the Romanian, Syrian and Lebanese people and through the Alexandrion Foundation we want to continue to contribute to the consolidation of these ties” said Mr. Nawaf Salameh.

On the second day of His historical visit to Romania, His Beatitude Absi also visited the Alexandrion Group production facilities: the Alexandrion Saber 1789 Distilleries and The Iconic Estate Cellar, both located in Dealu Mare region, where he was provided by the team with detailed information about the history of the group, the production process, the distribution network and the awards won by the spirits and wines in international competitions.

High level meeting at the Cotroceni Palace

His Beatitude Absi and Mr. Nawaf Salameh had a high level meeting at the Cotroceni Palace, with Sergiu Nistor, Presidential Advisor within the Culture, Cults and National Minorities Department and the Holy Father Mihai Frăţilă, Diocesan Bishop of the Greek-Catholic Diocese “Sfântul Vasile cel Mare” from Bucharest. During the meeting, they talked about the situation of the Christians from the Middle East, the long and tight relationship between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Greek Melkite Catholic Church, as well as the high number of young people that come from the Middle East to Romania to study.

His Beatitude Absi ended his visit to Romania by officiating the Sunday religious service at the Maronite Catholic Church Saint Charbel Makhluf Bucharest.

The Greek Melkite Catholic Church is a “sui iuris” church, in communion with the Roman Catholic Church since 1724 and reunites about 2 million Catholic Melkites, all of whom are Arabic-speaking. The Divine Liturgy of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church is celebrated, according to the rite written by St. John Chrysostom in the three Patriarchates, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem and in the diaspora.

His Beatitude Youssef Absi, the Patriarch of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church from Antioch and All the East, was born in Damascus (Syria) on June 20^th 1946. He studied phylosophy and teology at the Minor Seminary of the Paulist Fathers – Harissa (Lebanon) and holds a BA in phylosophy and teology and a PHD in musicology and Greek hymnography from the Saint-Esprit University – Kaslik (Lebanon). On May 6th 1973 he began His Novitiate under the direction of the White Fathers – Gap (France). In 2001 he was ordained Bishop and became Patriarchal Auxiliary – Raboueh (Lebanon). Between 2003-2017 he was a Patriarchal Vicar in Damascus.

On June 21^st 2017 His Beatitude Absi was elected Patriarch of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church from Antioch and All the East.

The athletes who had remarkable achievements in 2020 were distinguished with the Alexandrion Trophies and financially rewarded for their contribution to the development of Romanian sport, within the only initative of this kind organized and entirely supported by a private entity. The Alexandrion Trophies, awarded following the consultations with the representatives of 27 sport outlets teams in Romania and authorized institutions are meant to reward both the excellent results in sport and help the athletes draw the attention on the challenges and needs this area is facing, that require the constant and active involvement of the state and of the private environment.

The winners of the Alexandrion Trophies 2020 are:

Laura Coman (sport shooting; European champion)
Paul Georgescu (swimming; three records set in Antarctica)
Cătălina Axente (wrestling; European bronze medal, 72 kg category)
Alin Alexuc- Ciurariu (wrestling; continental champion, 130 kg category)
Andreea Chiţu (judo; European vice-champion, 52 kg category)
Marcel Manea (body building; world champion)
Daniel Crista (cycling; European bronze medal in the European Championship on Velodrome)
Ana-Maria Brânză Popescu (fencing ; world champion)
Robert Glinţă (swimming; European vice champion, the 50 m back swimming )
Larisa Iordache (gymnastics: 4 European medals in artistic gymnastics)

The winners of the «Hope» Trophies are :

Julianne Duckadam (fencing)
Mihai Savin (judo)
Andrei Nica (gold medal in monobob, The Olympic Games for Youth)

The Excellence in Sport Trophy was awarded to Miodrag Belodedici (award for the entire career in football).

The Alexandrion Fondation offered a special award to the ultramarathoner Levente Polgar.

Bucharest, February 1^st 2021 – The Alexandrion Trophies Gala, the most important gala of Romanian sports, organized by the Alexandrion Foundation for the 6^th year in a row will be broadcast on the 6^th of February, on B1 TV, starting from 19:00. The gala will also be streamed online on the Facebook page of the Alexandrion Foundation, starting from 20:00. This year, the Alexandrion Foundation has reconfigured the format of the event to meet all the legal measures in force, imposed by the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, thus the awards ceremony will be held without audience.

The distinctions are granted this year by the Alexandrion Foundation, following the consultations with the representatives of more than 20 sports publications in Romania, but also several authorized institutions. The trophies and the financial rewards offered within the event are dedicated to the sportspeople who obtained remarkable results in 2020 and are the only démarche of this kind completely organized and supported by a private entity.

Within the gala young sportspeople, remarkable through their talent and with very good evolution perspectives will be awarded with ”Speranţa” trophies. The Alexandrion Foundatio also grants special awards and the Alexandrion trophy for the entire career.

The winners of the Alexandrion trophies are designated based on the national and international performance from the previous year. Within the past five editions the Alexandrion Foundation granted 91 trophies.

Among the winners of the previous editions are: Marian Drăgulescu (gymnastics), Anghel Iordănescu (football), Tiberiu Dolniceanu (fencing), Cristina Stancu (martial arts), Andreea Chițu (judo), Horia Tecău (tennis), Elisabeta Samara (ping-pong), Simona Halep (tennis), Ana-Maria Brânză-Popescu (fencing), Cristina Neagu (handball), the components of Romania’s 8+1 female rowing team – Mihaela Petrilă, Ioana Strungaru, Mădălina Bereș, Laura Oprea, Adelina Maria Boguș, Andreea Boghian, Roxana Cogianu, Iuliana Popa and Daniela Druncea, Daniela Dodean (ping-pong), Alexandru Bologa (judo), the components of the female sword team – Simona Gherman, Simona Pop, Ana-Maria Brânză-Popescu and Loredana Dinu, the pair Horia Tecău/Florin Mergea (tennis), Cătălina Ponor (gymnastics), Albert Saritov (wrestling), Oana Manea (handball), Gianina Beleagă and Ionela Lehaci (rowing), Loredana Toma (weight lifting), Alina Vuc (wresting), the components of Romania’s female rowing team 8+1– Laura Oprea, Mădălina Bereș, Adelina Maria Boguș, Mihaela Petrilă, Viviana Iuliana Bejunariu, Ioana Vrînceanu, Iuliana Popa, Denisa Tilvescu, Daniela Drunceanu, the female ping-pong team – Adina Mihaela Diaconu, Elizabeta Samara, Irina Ciobanu, Daniela Dodean Monteiro, Bernadette Cynthia Szocs, Nicolae Onică (weight lifting), Mirel Rădoi (football), Ianis Hagi (football), Robert Glință (swimming), Ovidiu Ionescu (ping-pong), Mihai Mihuț (wrestling), Laura Coman (sport shooting), Elena Andrieş (weight lifting), Bianca Pascu (fencing), Constantin Ştefan (handball).

The Alexandrion „Hope” Trophies were awarded in the past two editions and among the winners there were: Elena Chiriac (taekwondo), Andra Simion (lawn tennis), Theo Matican (paralympic cycling), Diana Cimpoca (ice skating), Claudiu Borțuneanu (football), Muscalu Nicoleta Angelica and Pavel Antonia Mihaela (water jumps – synchronous platform), Arian Notrețu (paralympic swimming), David Popovici (swimming), Ianis Sămărghițan-Dumitru (judo), Adrian Dorobanţu (football). Within the 2019 and 2020 editions Marius Iovi (soldier wounded in Irak and Invictus sportsman) and Ciprian Anton (wheelchair tennis) won the special award and the trophies for excellence in sport throughout the entire career were granted to Mircea Lucescu and Helmut Duckadam.

Cycling, water polo or lawn tennis are among the sports that the Foundation is supporting. The footbal, handball or rugby teams were not forgotten either and benefit from the support of the Foundation.

The Alexandrion Trophies are, in fact, a natural continuation of the efforts of the Alexandrion Foundation to support Romanian sports. Year after year, the Alexandrion Foundation has supported not only sports teams, but also the Romanian Sports Committee in three editions of the Olympic Games (Athens, London and Beijing). The Foundation has supported both handball teams (U Alexandrion Cluj and CSA Steaua Alexandrion) and football teams (Universitatea Craiova, CSM Politehnica Iaşi, ASU Politehnica Timișoara, Petrolul Ploieşti, Universitatea Cluj, Unirea Urziceni, Steaua București, Concordia Chiajna, Dinamo București or Metaloglobus București). The Alexandrion Foundation is also supporting other sports such as golf, rugby, cycling, box, polo, lawn tennis.