Romania commemorates 550th anniversary of Valea Alba battle and 109th anniversary of Mărășești battle

On 25‑26 July 2024, Romania marked the 550th anniversary of the 1476 Battle of Valea Alba. Ceremonies began at the Războieni Monastery with a symposium, a liturgical service at the Troița Valea Albă, and a first‑ever torch procession. The following day featured a military‑religious ceremony at the local monument, including a flag salute, the national anthem, speeches by officials, and folk performances, honoring Stephen the Great’s defense against the Ottoman army of Sultan Mehmed II.

A day earlier, on 24 July, the 109th anniversary of the WW‑I Battle of Mărășești was observed. The battle, noted for the slogan “Pe aici nu se trece!”, saw over 27,000 Romanian soldiers resist a German offensive. Commemorative events highlighted the sacrifice of the fallen and the battle’s role in Romanian military history.