Ioana-Ruxandra-Victoria Ciocan, an independent, took over as Minister of Culture on Wednesday in the presence of Prime Minister Luca Niculescu.

The event took place at the Ministry of Culture headquarters.

'I would like to thank Minister Demeter Andras for all the work he has done for culture during his term in office. I know that conditions were not always the easiest. I would also like to wish Ioana Ciocan every success in her new role. She is an experienced cultural manager with great ambition and is just beginning her term. Of course, we are in a period when we talk a great deal about budgetary and fiscal issues, but there is that famous phrase, probably never actually uttered by Winston Churchill: 'If there were no culture, what would we be fighting for?' I believe culture is worth fighting for, even if budgetary conditions are obviously far from ideal. Romanian artists are recognised internationally. We have an outstanding film industry, extraordinary literature, the George Enescu International Competition and Festival, highly accomplished visual artists and a very dynamic independent cultural sector, which we will try to define more clearly. There are so many things and so many areas in which Romania can shine through culture that I believe we must make the most of them. And I assure you, Minister, that you will have my support and that we will certainly meet very often,' Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said at the end of the event.

The prime minister also mentioned Romania's participation as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt International Book Fair in 2028.

'Next year, there will be the Paris Book Fair, followed by the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2028, the largest book fair in the world, where Romania will be Guest of Honour and where we must showcase the potential and achievements of Romanian literature. Soon, in London, if I am not mistaken, the world's largest retrospective of van Eyck will take place, and the famous 'Portrait of a Man with a Blue Chaperon' from the Brukenthal Museum will be exhibited there. And, of course, there are film festivals around the world. I do not need to tell you how significant the cultural achievements of Romanian artists are; I am sure your world is familiar with them too. Once again, thank you and I wish you every success,' Luca Niculescu added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)