Bucharest, March 17, AZERTAC

AGERPRES Romanian National News Agency has launched its own Photography Archive during an event that took place at the Palace of Parliament, which gathered words, images and emotions alike.

AGERPRES Director General Alexandru Giboi, Moldpres Director General Vladimir Darie, AGERPRES Archive – Documentaries Desk Editor-in-Chief Anca Pandea and AP Vice President John J. Daniszewski took the stage of the C.A. Rosetti hall.

In the event opening, Alexandru Giboi said: “It is the year when we reconnect history with the present. To me it is important that the generations to come don’t forget history. Without the AGERPRES photographers, we wouldn’t have managed to gather here in this hall. Journalism must be acknowledged all its merits.”

Moreover, the Moldpres News Agency Director General stated: “The photo archive is part of Romania’s national treasure. It is a treasure which will grow in value hundreds of times. No archive in Romania can be complete without the Republic of Moldova.”

In the end of the event organized by AGERPRES, John J. Dansziewski spoke of the challenge news agencies face, namely that of bringing together photographs and words, adding that the enormous work to digitize the photos is a great gift to Romania’s history and to the European history.

The event enjoyed the presence of important figures, internationally renowned participants such as: the members of the Board of EANA (the European Alliance of News Agencies) – PA (the UK), TT (Sweden), Hina (Croatia), the Alliance Secretary General, Erik Nylen. Also attending the event were representatives of other partner agencies: Anadolu (Turkey), ATA (Albania), AZERTAC (Azerbaijan), BTA (Bulgaria), dpa (Gemany), MIA (Macedonia), Tanjug (Serbia), TASR (Slovakia) and of some international organizations such as: UNESCO, World Editors Forum and the European Federation of Journalists.

Moreover, a selection of the most relevant photographs was unveiled at the end of the launching event, some of the images not having been published before. The images can be viewed for two weeks at the Palace of Parliament, on the hallway in front of the plenary sitting hall of the Chamber of Deputies.

AGERPRES was founded in 1889. It is Romania's national news agency; its purpose is to supply balanced, impartial news as the main information source for the country's citizens and institutions. It is also the most important source of news about Romania abroad. Its news stream is uninterrupted since 1921. Its current offer includes thematic news streams, press photography archive services, video and multimedia services, a documentary stream, and printing services.