The TRADIȚIA MILITARĂ Association (aTM) carried out an important activity to mark the 167th anniversary of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities (24 January 1859).
aTM was invited by the General Staff of Defense to take part on 24 January 2026 in the ceremonies dedicated to the Union of the Principalities, held at the statue of Prince Alexandru Ioan I, on the Metropolitanate Hill in Bucharest, and by the Bucharest City Hall to make a historical-military reenactment at the Triumphal Arch.
The aTM detachment took part, equipped in the winter uniforms of the Romanian soldiers from the time of the Prince of the Union of Principalities: Line Infantry, Border Guards and Riflemen.
After the religious service held at the Patriarchal Cathedral, the military ceremony at the statue of the Prince of the Union on the Metropolitanate Hill was attended by the Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Țoiu, Lieutenant General Iulian Berdilă, Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff, and General Mihai Șomordolea, State Counselor and Secretary of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT). Other prominent Romanian figures, as well as representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, were also present.
After presenting arms to the attending dignitaries, the reenactor’s position within the formation was to flank the statue of Prince Alexandru Ioan I, facing the ceremony’s “tribune”, at a 90° angle to the right flank of the 2nd Infantry Battalion “Călugăreni”.
aTM’s custodians of military traditions made, both before the beginning of the ceremony and after its conclusion, an extensive historical-military reenactment display, intended to present various important elements of the commemorated period. The public received numerous explanations regarding the uniforms, the military flags of the 1861 and 1863 models, followed by detailed presentations of close-order drill and tactical training of the army of that historical era. Military ceremonies such as the taking of the Military Oath and the recitation of prayers were demonstrated, and the event concluded with tactical exercises including the twelve-step loading drills, weapon fencing, and bayonet charges.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed this immersion into a pivotal historical era for the Romanian people and rewarded the reenactors with applause.
At the end of the event, the aTM detachment marched in formation while descending the Metropolitanate Hill. Several senior officers and generals congratulated aTM on its performance. A member of the United States Armed Forces presented aTM with a personal medal.
Immediately afterward, the aTM detachment proceeded to the Triumphal Arch, where it repeated all demonstrations according to the military regulations of the period of the Unification of the Romanian Principalities. The audience, consisting of Romanian visitors and foreign tourists, greatly appreciated the living history unfolding before their eyes.
