The 2026 edition of the ARC Camps programme officially opened in Bucharest on Monday, with around 9,000 Romanian children and young people from the diaspora and historic Romanian communities expected to take part in activities throughout the summer aimed at strengthening their connection to Romania’s language, culture and traditions.
According to a press release from the Department for Romanians Abroad, the opening ceremony took place at the National Military Circle in Bucharest, attended by representatives of state institutions, the Romanian Patriarchate, diplomatic missions and Romanian communities abroad.
The event featured a traditional cultural programme prepared by volunteers and children from the first camp session, who arrived from Romanian communities in Ukraine and Italy. Young performers from the Romanian Song Offspring ensemble of the Romanian Folklore Foundation, led by Professor Valeria Arnăutu, also took part.
Keeping Romania close to heart
Lavinia Arnăutu, acting Director with the rank of State Secretary at the Department for Romanians Abroad, described the initiative as one of Romania’s most important programmes for young members of the diaspora.
“The ARC Camps are a project very close to our hearts. Over the years, they have brought tens of thousands of Romanian children and young people from the diaspora and historic communities back home.”
“I say ‘home’ because that is exactly what we hope every child will feel when arriving in Romania. We want them to discover the places they have heard about from their parents and grandparents, improve their Romanian language skills, learn about our traditions and values, build friendships and leave convinced that Romania is, and always will be, their home,” she said.
Arnăutu added that the programme’s greatest success is measured by young participants’ desire to maintain their connection to Romania.
“Beyond the numbers, the camp sessions and the organisation, every child who comes to the ARC Camps represents a living bond with Romania. For us, that is the true measure of success. It shows that thousands of children and young people want to come to Romania to discover their roots and strengthen their ties with their country.”
‘Ambassadors of Romanian values’
During the ceremony, a message from Patriarch Daniel, entitled “Children and Young People – Ambassadors of the Christian Faith and Romanian Values,” was read by Fr Costin Spiridon, Patriarchal Adviser for Church Relations, Interreligious Relations, and Romanian Communities Abroad.
“Wherever you may live in the world, never forget that you are called to be ambassadors of Romanian values and of the Christian faith,” the Patriarch told young Romanians from neighbouring countries and the wider diaspora.
“At the same time, always keep open the path of returning to Romania by visiting whenever you have the opportunity and by cultivating lasting bonds with the people and places you will come to know during these days,” he added.
Cooperation between Church and State
Participants also received the blessing of Bishop Ieronim of Dacia Felix, who underlined the importance of Romania’s continued support for Romanian communities in Serbia.
“We wish you every success and hope to continue cooperating wherever the support of the Romanian state is needed, because without it, many important things for our community would simply not happen,” he said.
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defence also addressed the gathering.
Colonel Cristian Popovici, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of National Defence, encouraged participants to maintain their ties with Romania.
“The Romanian Army is here to protect the places where you were born, the churches where you were baptised, and the graves where your grandparents and great-grandparents rest. We are here to defend these values, and if one day you decide to return home, the Romanian Army invites you to become part of its ranks,” he said.
ARC Camps 2026
The 17th edition of the ARC Camps will run from 30 June to 1 September, with consecutive eight-day sessions held at eight locations across Romania: Bucharest, Vrancea, Neamț, Botoșani, Prahova, Harghita, Hunedoara and Cluj.
The programme also includes workshops introducing participants to traditional crafts, folk art techniques and elements of Romanian traditional costume, while helping them discover Romania’s history, geography and cultural heritage.
This year’s edition is organised by the Department for Romanians Abroad, with support from the National Agency for Sport, the Romanian Patriarchate, and the Liviu Rebreanu Technological High School in Bălan, Harghita County.
Photo: Facebook / Department for Romanians Everywhere
