This crossover season endeavoured to renew the image and perception our two countries have of each other by inviting us to “forget our clichés”, to strengthen the economic, scientific and cultural links that unite us historically. Mirroring the societies which put their roots down in what they share as French-speaking countries, the France-Romania Season also wanted to show the dynamism and imagination of the countries’ designers and companies, all while confirming the attachment both they both have to a Europe of peace, ideas and cooperation.

From Brest to Bordeaux, Timișoara to Iaşi, Reims to Montpellier, Cluj to Constanța, Marseille to Mulhouse, for nine months 900 artists, students, researchers, sports people, intellectuals, decision-makers and company directors put unprecedented intensity into fuelling the Franco-Romanian relationship.

Since the Season closed in Bucarest a year ago, and despite the health crisis we are experiencing, relations between France and Romania have moved onto a new stage. New cooperation projects have arisen, particularly in promoting cultural and creative industries, an activity sector that represents a certain economic weight, source of attractiveness and influence. Franco-Romanian cooperation that’s even more relevant in 2020, which has hit artists so hard, and live performances in particular.

The France-Romania Season 2019 was organised and implemented: 

• For France: by the Institut français with the support of the m Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, the Ministry of Sport, the French Embassy in Romania, the networks of establishments of the Institut français in Romania and Alliances françaises. General Commissioner: Jean-Jacques Garnier. 

• For Romania: by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Administration, the Ministry of Culture and National Identity, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Economy, the Romanian Embassy in France and the Romanian Cultural Institute. General Commissioner: Andrei Tarnea. 

The Committee of patrons for the Season was chaired by Frédéric Oudéa, director general of the Société générale group.