ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (WNP): Romania and Pakistan took another step toward strengthening cultural and educational ties on Wednesday with the inauguration of the “Romanian Shelf” at the National Library of Pakistan, an initiative for promoting literary exchange, cultural understanding and people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
The Romanian Shelf was inaugurated by the Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Dr. Dan Stoenescu, in the presence of President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) and Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
The event was also attended by prominent representatives from diplomatic, academic, cultural and literary circles, including Romanian Embassy officials Eduard Preda and Georgiana Costea-Glugă, as well as senior officials of the National Library of Pakistan.
As part of the initiative, Ambassador Stoenescu formally presented a collection of books donated by the Romanian Cultural Institute. The collection includes works on Romanian history, literature, art and cultural heritage, providing Pakistani readers with a valuable opportunity to explore Romania’s rich intellectual and cultural traditions.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Stoenescu described libraries as important institutions that connect people, preserve national identity and build bridges of understanding among nations.
“The Romanian Shelf is more than a collection of books; it is an open invitation to discover Romania, its culture, history, creativity and spirit,” he said.
The ambassador expressed hope that the initiative would mark the beginning of a long and productive partnership between the two countries in the fields of culture, education and knowledge exchange.
During his visit to the National Library, Ambassador Stoenescu also held discussions with Director General Muhammad Ali Shahzad Muzaffar regarding the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Library of Pakistan and Romania’s National Library to institutionalize cooperation and promote scholarly exchanges.
Highlighting the longstanding friendship between the two countries, the ambassador recalled Romania’s unique contribution to Pakistan’s cultural heritage, noting that Romania became the first country to present a choral rendition of Pakistan’s national anthem, Qaumi Tarana, on Pakistan Day, March 23.
He described the gesture as a symbol of mutual respect, friendship and goodwill between the peoples of Romania and Pakistan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar welcomed the establishment of the Romanian Shelf and emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
The Embassy of Romania acknowledged and appreciated her efforts in facilitating the establishment of the Romanian Shelf at the National Library of Pakistan.
Participants observed that literary and cultural exchanges play a vital role in fostering mutual understanding and creating stronger links between societies beyond traditional diplomatic engagement.
The establishment of the Romanian Shelf reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and Romania to promoting intercultural dialogue, academic cooperation and people-to-people connectivity through literature, education and cultural engagement.
Officials expressed confidence that the initiative would further enhance bilateral relations by encouraging intellectual collaboration, scholarly research and cultural exchanges between institutions and citizens of both countries.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to deepen cooperation in the fields of culture, heritage, education and knowledge sharing, reinforcing the growing partnership between Pakistan and Romania.
“Books build bridges where borders end; the Romanian Shelf stands as a new bridge of friendship, knowledge and understanding between Romania and Pakistan.”
