National Anthems of the World

Lyrics, history and anecdotes

🇷🇴 Romania

The national anthem of Romania is called: « Deșteaptă-te, române! ».

Continent: Europe

Bordering Countries:
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇲🇩 Moldova (Republic of)
🇷🇸 Serbia
🇺🇦 Ukraine

History of « Deșteaptă-te, române! »

« Deșteaptă-te, române! » (Awaken, Romanian!) is the national anthem of Romania. The anthem reflects the country’s struggle for independence, its cultural heritage, and the enduring spirit of its people.

Key Dates and People

  • 1848: The lyrics of « Deșteaptă-te, române! » were written by Andrei Mureșanu, a Romanian poet and revolutionary, during the Wallachian Revolution of 1848.
  • 1848: The music for the anthem was composed by Anton Pann, a Romanian composer and musicologist. The song quickly became a symbol of the Romanian national awakening.
  • 1990: « Deșteaptă-te, române! » was officially adopted as the national anthem of Romania following the Romanian Revolution of 1989, which led to the fall of the communist regime.

Anecdotes

  • Revolutionary Origins: The anthem was written during the Wallachian Revolution of 1848, a time of significant political and social upheaval in Romania. The lyrics call for unity, courage, and the awakening of the national consciousness.
  • Banned and Resurrected: During the communist regime, « Deșteaptă-te, române! » was banned, and a different anthem was imposed. However, the song remained a symbol of resistance and national identity. It was resurrected and officially adopted as the national anthem after the fall of communism in 1989.
  • Cultural Significance: « Deșteaptă-te, române! » is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the Romanian people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s stirring lyrics and melody inspire a sense of unity and pride among Romanians.

Lyrics Excerpt

In Romanian

Deșteaptă-te, române, din somnul cel de moarte,
În care te-adânciră barbarii de tirani
Acum ori niciodată croiește-ți altă soarte,
La care să se-nchine și cruzii tăi dușmani.

Acum ori niciodată să dăm dovezi în lume
Că-n aste mâini mai curge un sânge de roman,
Și că-n a noastre piepturi păstrăm cu fală-un nume
Triumfător în lupte, un nume de Traian.

In English (translation)

Awaken, Romanian, from the sleep of death
Into which you have been sunk by the barbaric tyrants
Now or never, make a new fate for yourself,
To which even your cruel enemies will bow.

Now or never, let us show the world
That in these hands still flows the blood of the Romans,
And that in our chests we proudly bear a name
Triumphant in battles, the name of Trajan.

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