What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm

Romanian Cultural Institute in London

Home
United Kingdom
London
Romanian Cultural Institute in London

Directions Website

We promote Romanian culture and artists in the United Kingdom. These four principal functions are executed in a whole series of activities.

We are keen to build partnerships with British cultural organisations and support our vibrant community in Great Britain. The Romanian Cultural Institute in London, or ICR/RCI London, is part of a global network of cultural institutes and together we make up Romania’s main arm of cultural diplomacy. We act on several levels: as a diplomatic mission, cultural management unit, artistic and PR agency and as a centre for research and documentation. As a diplomatic mission, we are in charge of cultural and public diplomacy projects, managed by a dedicated team of professionals. We are also responsible for creating long-term partnerships between Romanian and British individuals and institutions. We devote equal energy to initiatives about Britain for Romanians and we collaborate with Romanians in the UK on community projects.

30/10/2026

🎹 Romanian jazz takes centre stage at PizzaExpress Live in Soho!

Ready for an evening of exceptional jazz, bold improvisation and captivating musical storytelling?

Romanian pianist and composer Sorin Zlat returns to London with his acclaimed trio for CHANGING TIMES, a new musical journey featuring original compositions that bring together the sophistication of contemporary jazz, lyrical melodies and the cinematic imagination of a film composer.

Joining him on stage are two outstanding musicians: Mikele Montolli on double bass and Andy Trim on drums. Together, they explore a rich soundscape of modern jazz, post-bop, Latin and flamenco rhythms, funk and fearless improvisation.

Expect a dynamic musical dialogue, unexpected turns and melodies that stay with you long after the final note.

📍 PizzaExpress Jazz Club, Soho, 10 Dean Street, London W1D 3RW
📅 Sunday, 8 November 2026
🕗 8:00 pm (doors open 6:30 pm)
🎟️ Tickets: £20. Book at https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/sorin-zlat-trio

30/10/2026

Sebastian Badarau is a Romanian actor, screenwriter, director and producer. His debut feature, "The Uncertainty Principle", won Best Feature at SCI-FI-LONDON 2026 and screened in the Romanian Days competition at the Transilvania International Film Festival, as well as at the Philip K. Dick Film Festival in New York. As an actor, he has appeared in "The Missing" (BBC), "De Ridder" (Eyeworks), "Grace of Monaco" (Canal+) and "Wilderness" (Baracoa), alongside extensive stage work in Romania and abroad. His films bring scientific ideas and philosophical inquiry into conversation with human drama and genre cinema, focusing on characters confronted by conflicting ideas of evidence, belief, memory and reality.

We're delighted to welcome Sebastian to the Romanian Cultural Institute in London, for the screening of 'The Uncertainty Principle' and a Q&A session with our audience. Join us!

📍 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X8PH
📅 Friday, 13 November, 7 PM
🎟️ Free entry, booking necessary. Confirm your attendance at: https://www.rcilondon.co.uk/event-details/the-uncertainty-principle-screening-followed-by-a-q-a-with-director-sebastian-badarau

30/10/2026

Poems are experienced in entirely new ways when they are sung, translated, performed.

Join us for a special evening celebrating "The Performance", the new poetry collection by Romanian poet and translator Peter Sragher, recently published in the UK by Mycelium Press.

Bringing together three distinctive creative voices, the evening will explore the fascinating territory where poetry meets music, performance and translation. Peter Sragher will be joined by British poet, playwright and editor Andy Willoughby and Greek-Cypriot actress and singer Elena Hadjiafxendi for a conversation about the power of words to travel across languages, cultures and artistic forms.

Expect more than readings: live performances, poetry inspired by Cyprus and the creative encounters between the artists will transform the evening into a celebration of poetry in all its expressive possibilities.

The event is organised in partnership with the Cultural Section of the High Commission of Cyprus / Cyprus in UK - Culture.

📅 Friday 27 November, 7 PM
📍 RCI London, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH

🎟️ Free admission | Booking required
Find more info and tickets at https://www.rcilondon.co.uk/event-details/the-performance-when-poetry-steps-off-the-page

29/10/2026

📚 A joyful publication day for Romanian literature in the UK!

Today, Panait Istrati's "The Thistles of the Baragan" arrives in a new English-language edition, published by Thousand Horsemen Press and translated by Jacques Le Clercq. A modern classic of Romanian literature returns to English readers, bringing with it a powerful story of humanity, resilience and the struggle for dignity.

According to the publisher, this is "a true ode to humanity and resilience", one that "brings the reader face to face with the spiked beauty that is living—a beauty that never simply arrives to those who just remain, waiting."

The enduring power of Istrati’s writing is captured by two distinguished literary voices:

✍️ Mircea Cărtărescu, one of Romania’s most celebrated contemporary writers, writes: “Panait Istrati was, above all, a free spirit. Throughout his life, he exercised his freedom as an art. His belief is one of serving truth and only the truth. Achieving literary greatness was never his goal, but that he might serve, through the written word, human dignity.”

✍️ Romain Rolland, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature and Istrati’s literary champion, praised his storytelling: “Panait Istrati is a natural-born storyteller, an Oriental one, and once he launches into a story, no one knows, not even himself, whether it will last an hour or a thousand and one nights… His genius for storytelling is irresistible.”

Congratulations and grateful thanks to Thousand Horsemen Press on bringing this remarkable work back to English readers!

https://thousandhorsemenpress.com/books/the-thistles-of-the-baragan/

29/10/2026

👑✨ Today we celebrate 151 years since the birth of Queen Marie of Romania – one of the most remarkable women of her time!

Born in England, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and married at just 17 to the future King Ferdinand of Romania, Queen Marie was strong, visionary, and deeply devoted to her new country. 🇬🇧🤝🇷🇴
A true trailblazer, she became the face of Romania at the Paris Peace Conference after WWI, helping shape the dream of Greater Romania. She was also a gifted artist, with a particular passion for flowers, botanical illustration and the natural beauty of her adopted homeland.

Last year, the Romanian Cultural Institute in London celebrated this lesser-known dimension of her legacy with "Marie of Romania, Artist Queen. A Floral Conversation" — a major exhibition bringing together lithographs of her watercolours, many never previously shown in public, and botanical illustrations from The Transylvania Florilegium, commissioned by His Majesty King Charles III. Curated by Dr Shona Kallestrup of the University of St Andrews and historian and collector Sorin Mărgărit, the exhibition created a remarkable dialogue between two royal collections and their shared appreciation of Romania’s extraordinary flora. Shortly after its opening in London, it welcomed a special visitor: His Majesty King Charles III.

Now touring Romania, the exhibition continues to introduce audiences to Queen Marie’s artistic talent and her enduring fascination with the country she made her home. It is currently on view at Muzeul Primei Școli Românești in Brașov, before travelling to Casino Constanța in December and Casa Darvas–La Roche in Oradea in spring 2027, ahead of its return to England.

Through her art, Queen Marie continues to bring Romania and Britain together — a legacy that transcends borders and generations. 🇷🇴🇬🇧

📸 Images from the exhibition opening at Garrison Chapel in London and HM King Charles III’s visit, 2025. Credit photo: Alex Coman

29/10/2026

🎶 Join us in celebrating 20 years of bringing Romanian culture closer to audiences in the UK! 🇷🇴✨

For the second part of the evening we'll be enjoying a high-energy world music concert by Unicorn Frequency, led by Romanian-British violinist Bogdan Vacarescu. Bringing together five outstanding musicians from across Europe, the ensemble weaves Romanian and Balkan folk traditions with Greek, Italian and other musical influences, moving effortlessly between exuberant dance rhythms, virtuosic playing and irresistible grooves.

Bogdan Văcărescu will be joined on stage by:
Elena Hadjiafxendi – Vocals
Peter Michaels – Guitar
Paul Moylan – Double bass / Bass
Ohad Lustigman – Drums and percussion

This is music to feel, not just listen to. Expect infectious rhythms, unexpected twists and a joyous, genre-crossing sound that brings cultures together. And don’t be shy: we want you singing, clapping and dancing along with us!

📍 1 Belgrave Square, SW1X8PH | 5 November, 7 PM
Everyone welcome. Free entry, please confirm your attendance at::
https://www.rcilondon.co.uk/event-details/were-turning-20

28/10/2026

Muse Quartet brings together Alina Horez - first violin, Nicoleta Petre - second violin, Maria Colțațu - viola, and Alexandra Pascaru - cello.

➡ Alina Horez – Violin I is the first violinist of Muse Quartet and an experienced chamber musician, recognised for her refined sound and expressive interpretation. Through numerous collaborations with leading Romanian artists and productions, she has contributed to establishing Muse Quartet as one of Romania's most sought-after crossover string ensembles.

➡ Nicoleta Petre – Violin II is a versatile musician whose work spans classical performance, chamber music and contemporary crossover projects. A founding member of Muse Quartet, she has performed in hundreds of concerts across Romania and has contributed to collaborations with artists from the jazz, pop, indie and film music scenes.

➡ Maria Coltațu – Viola. Her extensive chamber music experience and versatility across musical genres contribute to the ensemble's distinctive sound, bringing together classical precision, contemporary arrangements and innovative concert concepts.

➡ Alexandra Pascaru – Cello. Her rich tone and strong ensemble presence provide a distinctive foundation to the quartet's sound. She has appeared in numerous concerts, recordings and interdisciplinary productions, performing alongside some of Romania's prominent artists and cultural institutions.

Acclaimed Romanian jazz vocalist Luiza Zan joins Muse Quartet at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens for "A Soul Journey: From Bucharest to London", part of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2026. ✨

🎻 The collaboration between Luiza Zan and Muse Quartet began in 2020 with a tribute to Nat King Cole and has since evolved into a distinctive voice-and-string-quartet sound, first presented in its current form at the Romanian Athenaeum.

🎶 Expect music by Duke Ellington, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Edith Piaf, Bach and Luiza Zan, alongside fresh arrangements and unexpected musical encounters.

📅 Wed 18 Nov 2026 | 7.30 pm
📍 World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens, 3 Ponton Road, SW11 7BD
🎟️ Tickets and event details: https://worldheartbeat.org/whats-on/event/a-soul-journey-from-bucharest-to-london/

28/10/2026

Strengthening Romania–UK cultural ties through dialogue, creativity and collaboration 🇷🇴🇬🇧

In a recent interview with Euronews Romania, Aura Woodward, Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in London, reflects on the Institute’s recent activities and its role in fostering cultural dialogue, building partnerships and strengthening the connections between Romania and the United Kingdom.

From literature and the arts to new collaborative initiatives, the Institute continues to create opportunities for Romanian culture to engage with British audiences, while bringing artists, writers, cultural organisations and institutions together across borders.

🎥 Watch the interview to discover more about the Romanian Cultural Institute’s work in the UK and the landscape of Romania–UK cultural relations.

27/10/2026

📚 New publication | Cairo, jurnal de teren (Cairo, a Field Record)

Published by OMG Publishing, 'Cairo, a Field Record' brings together five Romanian poets — London-based poet Simona Nastac, as well as Florin Dan Prodan, Călin Dănilă, Dan Cristian Iordache, and Matei Hutopilă — alongside Czech visual artist Zuzana Holá. The collection emerged from an artistic residency in Cairo that brought together creators from Romania and the Czech Republic as part of the 2026 Cairo International Book Fair.

✨ The collection has also received attention from Asymptote, the acclaimed journal of world literature. In his recent review, Chris Tanasescu/ MARGENTO describes the book as “a multilingual and interdisciplinary record of encounter”, noting that "the book’s bilingual architecture is significant. Romanian texts are accompanied by English versions, allowing the Cairo that emerges from these provisional, multilingual encounters to become not merely the object of a foreign gaze but the site of a literary exchange. The resulting Cairo is multiple."

We invite you to discover "Cairo, a Field Record" and read the full Asymptote review at link in comments.

Photo credit: Simona Nastac (a visual reference to her poem, “Anubis in the Birdless City”)

27/10/2026

The legacy of Constantin Brâncuși continues to inspire new ways of seeing and understanding his art. Participants in the International Conference “The Philosophy of Form” recently attended the opening of Brâncuși. Photography. The Invisible Studio, an exhibition presented for the first time in Târgu Jiu.

Curated by art historian Eduard Enache, with scientific consultancy by Dr Doina Lemny, the exhibition brings together 33 original photographs taken by Brâncuși himself, documenting his sculptures and offering a rare glimpse into the artist’s creative process. The photographs belong to the collection of London-based collector David Grob, who attended the opening. The exhibition is open to the public until mid-December.

This remarkable project also resonates with the Romanian Cultural Institute in London’s own contribution to the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Brâncuși’s birth. In March, the Institute collaborated with David Grob and Jonathan Vernon on a special event at Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery in London, where photographs of Brâncuși’s works from Grob’s collection were presented to the public.

From London to Târgu Jiu, these photographs reveal another dimension of Brâncuși’s artistic vision, inviting us to look beyond the finished sculpture and discover the invisible dialogue between the artist, his work and the space around it.

Address

1 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X8PH

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.rcilondon.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Romanian Cultural Institute in London posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.