On 10 June 2025, in Bucharest’s ARCUB cultural centre, the Romania – Luxembourg Business Forum, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Embassy, hosted “Brâncuși & Steichen – The Crossed Pathway of Two Great Twentieth-Century Artists”. This event marked Luxembourg’s National Day and commemorated 115 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Luxembourg.
The conference showcased the unique artistic friendship between Edward Steichen, the Luxembourg-born American photographer, and Constantin Brâncuși, the Romanian-born modernist sculptor. Seminal insights were provided by:
- Mme Doïna Lemny, art historian and honorary curator at Musée National d’Art Moderne (Pompidou Centre)
- Paul Lesch, Commissioner for the Edward Steichen Collections (Luxembourg Ministry of Culture)
- Ms Clara Staicu, State Secretary for European Affairs (MFA)
A highlight was the opening speech by H.E. Elisabeth Cardoso, whose tenure as Luxembourg’s Ambassador to Romania concluded with this event, and comments by RomLux President Razvan Radu.
RomLux’s representation included Board Members Razvan‑Petru Radu, Marius Cara, Alexandru Dan, and Gabriel Florea, alongside many members and distinguished guests. We are especially grateful to our RomLux member ROCA Investments, as well as Luxair and Vins Kox, for their generous support.
The evening concluded with a reception attended by prominent figures from the Romanian government, diplomatic corps, and cultural and business sectors.
Why this matters
This gathering not only celebrated past milestones but reaffirmed a long-standing cultural and diplomatic legacy. Luxembourg and Romania established formal diplomatic ties on 5 December 1910, strengthened by shared European values and ongoing high-level exchanges.
By spotlighting the intertwined careers of Steichen and Brâncuși, the event underscored how art transcends borders – deepening mutual understanding and enriching bilateral relations. Through initiatives like this, RomLux continues its mission to bolster economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation between our nations.
Read also: https://athenes.mae.lu/en/actualites/2025/juin-13-romania-luxembourg-diplomatic-relations.html
