The 159th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities was celebrated in Chisinau at the bust of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, who was chosen ruler of the two principalities, Moldova and the Romanian Country, in 1859, IPN reports.

Anatolie Caraman, chairman of the Association of War Veterans 1992 Tiras-Tighina, said the national unity process is continuous and has accelerated in the recent past. On January 24, 1859, during the rule of Alexandru Iona Cuza, Moldova joined the motherland Romania and the Romanian Principalities thus united. “On January 24, 1959, we, the Moldovans, declared ourselves Romanians in all the Romanian area and since then we have been Romanians,” stated Anatolie Caraman.

Corina Fusu, first deputy head of the Liberal Party, said that only by making the union again, can we survive as a nation and live in dignity and welfare. “This ideal was accomplished in 1600 by Mihai Viteazul. In 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza animated the Small Union, while in 1918 the Great Union was made under the reign of King Ferdinand. These events strengthened the Romanian nation and people who have the same language, culture and history,” stated Corina Fusu.

Ala Birladeanu, teacher at the Chisinau Lyceum “Ion Creanga”, said the day of January 24 is important for the Romanian people. “The Romanians gave birth to the most conscious, the most dignified people, which loudly said that they want the union. The union had been wanted by Romanians everyone during hundreds of years,” she stated.

On January 5, 1859, the selective assembly consisting of 48 MPs in Moldova unanimously chose the leader of the Moldovan unionists Alexandru Ioan Cuza as ruler. In the Romanian Country, the ruler was chosen on January 24. Alexandru Ioan Cuza was voted unanimously there too. Thus, Alexandru Ioan Cuza became the ruler of the two principalities and their union was recognized by the great powers during his rule.