Ambassador Dan Stoenescu calls for strengthening cultural ties between Pakistan, Romania
By Zubair Qureshi
In order to further deepen cultural and educational cooperation between Pakistan and Romania, the Embassy of Romania inaugurated a “Romanian Shelf” at the National Library of Pakistan on Wednesday, offering Pakistani readers, students and researchers access to a rich collection of books on Romanian history, literature, art and cultural heritage.
The inauguration ceremony was held during an official visit of Romania’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Dan Stoenescu, to the National Library, where he formally presented a donation of books published by the Romanian Cultural Institute Publishing House to Director General of the National Library, Muhammad Ali Shahzad Muzaffar.
The donated collection includes a diverse range of publications showcasing Romania’s intellectual traditions, artistic achievements and cultural legacy. The initiative aims to promote greater understanding between the people of Pakistan and Romania through the exchange of knowledge and literature.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Dan Stoenescu emphasized the important role libraries play in fostering cultural dialogue and preserving collective heritage.
“Libraries connect people, preserve identity, and build bridges of understanding. The Romanian Shelf at the National Library of Pakistan is more than a collection of books—it is an open invitation to discover Romania’s spirit, creativity and scholarship,” he said.
The ambassador noted that strengthening cooperation in education, culture and knowledge exchange remains a key pillar of the growing Romania-Pakistan partnership. He expressed hope that the newly established Romanian Shelf would encourage readers, students and researchers to explore Romanian culture and history.
During the visit, Ambassador Stoenescu and Director General Muzaffar also discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Library of Pakistan and the National Library of Romania. The proposed agreement would pave the way for long-term institutional cooperation, including exchanges of publications, professional expertise and joint cultural initiatives.
The event was attended by Eduard Preda, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Romania; renowned Romanian soprano Georgiana Costea-Glugă, who is currently coordinating opera courses at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA); and Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF). MNA
Nosheen Iftikhar described the inauguration a milestone in Romania-Pakistan cultural relations and a reflection of the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening people-to-people contacts through education, literature and the arts.
The participants expressed the optimism that the initiative would serve as a catalyst for further cultural exchanges and collaborative projects, helping build stronger academic and cultural connections between the two nations in the years ahead.
