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Romanian ethnic minorities - political flags

Last modified: 2015-07-28 by alex danes
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Status of ethnic groups in Romania

Each of 18 ethnic minorities in Romania is granted one seat in the Chamber of Deputies. All of them have some sort of political party or rather cultural organization, that has a party symbol [http://www.cdep.ro/pls/parlam/structura.gp?idg=7].
Marcus E.V. Schmöger, 7 January 2007

  • Association of Italians of Romania (Asociaţia Italienilor din România)
  • Bulgarian Union of the Banat - Romania (Uniunea Bulgară din Banat - România)
  • Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania (Uniunea Culturală a Rutenilor din România)
  • Democratic Forum of Germans in Romania (Forumul Democrat al Germanilor din România)
  • Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs in Romania (Uniunea Democratică a Slovacilor şi Cehilor din România)
  • Democratic Union of Turco-Islamic Tatars of Romania (Uniunea Democrată a Tătarilor Turco-Musulmani din România)
  • Federation of Jewish Communities of Romania (Federaţia Comunităţilor Evreiesţi din România)
  • Greek Union of Romania (Uniunea Elenă din România)
  • League of Albanians of Romania (Liga Albanezilor din România)
  • Lipovan Russian Community of Romania (Comunitatea Ruşilor Lipoveni din România)
  • Social Democratic Roma Party of Romania (Partida Romilor Social Democrată din România)
  • Turkish Democratic Union of Romania (Uniunea Democrată Turcă din România)
  • Union of Armenians of Romania (Uniunea Armenilor din România)
  • Union of Croatians of Romania (Uniunea Croaţilor din România)
  • Union of Poles of Romania Dom Polski (Uniunea Polonezilor din România 'Dom Polski')
  • Union of Serbs of Romania (Uniunea Sârbilor din România)
  • Union of Macedonians of Romania (Asociaţia Macedonenilor din România)
  • Union of Ukrainians of Romania (Uniunea Ucrainienilor din România)

I don't have much information on the flag use, though. Most of them probably use the national flag of their "motherland" to some degree. This might apply to the Bulgarians, Italians, Slovaks and Czechs, Greeks, Jews [see note 1], Albanians, Turks, Armenians, Croatians, Poles, Serbs, Macedonians and Ukrainians. I do not know if Germans in Romania use the German national flag to some extent. Transylvanian Swabians (one part of the ethnic Germans in Romania) do use their colours blue-red [www.biertan.home.ro], that are also used in the flag of their refugee organization in Germany. The Roma might use the Roma flag. I don't know which flag the Ruthenians, Tatars and Lipovan Russians would use to denote their ethnic background.

Note 1: Sources:
http://otertimisoara.jewish.ro/images/pesah2006/SSA41699.jpg
http://otertimisoara.jewish.ro/pesah2005/pesah4.jpg
http://otertimisoara.jewish.ro/pesah2005/pesah1.jpg
http://otertimisoara.jewish.ro/images/tu_bshvat/11.jpg

Marcus Schmöger, 7 January 2007


Albanian association flag

The Albanian minority is represented by the ALAR (Asociaţia Liga Albanezilor din România = Association League of Albanians of Romania). ALAR has been founded on 30 June 1999 and has been holding one seat in the Chamber of Deputies continuously since 2000 (the precursor organisation UCAR 1996-2000).

The symbol1 2 3 is very simple: a white circle inscribed in a white triangle, all outlined black, in the center the party abbreviation "ALAR".

I have not found any flag usage, neither of a particular party flag nor of the Albanian flag (the latter surprising me). However, the homepage shows a scroll cleverly combining the Romanian colours with the Albanian ones1.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Association League of Albanians of Romania
2. The symbol of the Association League of Albanians of Romania (DOC, Romanian)
3. The symbol of the Association League of Albanians of Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 4 January 2009


Armenian union flag

The Armenian minority is represented by the UAR (Uniunea Armenilor din România = Union of Armenians of Romania).

The symbol1 2 3 is a rather complicated line drawing, showing the interior of an Armenian church, an eagle displayed, and at the bottom the party abbreviation U.A.R.

I have not found any particular party flag nor any other flag usage.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Union of Armenians of Romania
2. The symbol of the Union of Armenians of Romania (DOC, Romanian)
3. The symbol of the Union of Armenians of Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 28 December 2008


Croatian union flag

The Croatian minority is represented by the UCR (Uniunea Croaţilor din România = Union of the Croatians in Romania). UCR has been holding one seat in the Chamber of Deputies continuously since 2000. The symbol, as shown on the website1 and on the party building2 is a shield: Azure, a fess Argent (white), overall a tower Argent (grey) on a mountain proper (grey), a chief Argent (white) with inscription "ZHR-UCR" (blue or black), a base Argent (white) with inscription "1991" (blue or black). This is also shortly and vaguely described in the statute3:

"Art. 6
a) The seal of the UCR is circular. The outer text is in Croation language "Zajedništvo Hrvata u Rumunjskoj", the inner text is in Romanian language "Uniunea Croaţilor din România", and in the center there is the emblem of the UCR.
b) The emblem of the UCR is the tower, symbolizing the ruin "Fortress of Carasova", called Fortress of the Turk.")
The symbol for elections is totally different4 5: It shows a Latin cross bottony with the inscriptions Croaţi (above) and Hrvati (beneath). The only flag that I have found in use is the Croatian national flag6. Furthermore, a historical photograph shows several church banners7.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Union of the Croatians in Romania
2. The symbol of the Union of the Croatians in Romania
3. The statute of the Union of the Croatians in Romania
4. The symbol of the Union of the Croatians in Romania(DOC, Romanian)
5. The symbol of the Union of the Croatians in Romania
6. The national Croatian flag being used by the Union of the Croatians in Romania
7. Traditional church banners in a Croatian church in Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 5 January 2009


Greek union flag

The minority of Greeks is represented by the UER (Uniunea Elenă din România = Greek Union in Romania). The UER has been founded on 28 December 19891 and has been holding one seat in the Chamber of Deputies continuously since 1990.

The symbol of the UER is a circular seal, in the center the head of Athene with helmet, surrounded by olive branches, everything surrounded by the name of the organization in Romanian and Greek. If used in colour, the elements are light blue on white1 2 3. The statute does not describe the symbol in full, but only says1:

"Art. 3
(4) The official seal of the Union includes the symbol of the Union and the name of the Union in Romanian and Greek language."
As far as I can see, the symbol of the UER is not used on flags. The flag used by the UER in cultural and political context is the Greek national flag4 5 6 7 8.

Sources:
1. The statute of the Greek Union in Romania (PDF, Romanian)
2. The symbol of the Greek Union in Romania (DOC, Romanian)
3. The symbol of the Greek Union in Romania
4. The Greek national flag is used by the Greek Union in Romania (PDF, Romanian)
5. The Greek national flag being used by the Greek Union in Romania (PDF, Romanian)
6. The Greek national flag being used by the Greek Union in Romania (PDF, Romanian)
7. The Greek national flag being used by the Greek Union in Romania (PDF, Romanian)
8. The Greek national flag being used by the Greek Union in Romania (PDF, Romanian)

Marcus Schmöger, 4 January 2009


Italian association flag

[Partida Romilor Pro Europa] image by Marcus Schmöger, 8 December 2008

Association of Italians of Romania (Asociaţia Italienilor din România), abbreviated RO.AS.IT. This is the representation of the Italians in Romania, and it has one reserved seat in the Chamber of Deputies (as the other 17 minorities' organizations).

The symbol can be found on the website1. Furthermore, it is described in the statute2 3 (my translation from the Italian text):

"Art. 2
The symbol of the Association of Italians of Romania - RO.AS.IT. has significant Latin influences in a European historical and cultural context, with a graphical element that represents "The Capitoline Wolf", the she-wolf with the two siblings Romulus and Remus, inscribed in two concentrical circles, one of them dotted externally, the field between the two circles of blue colour, on which there are 10 stars of yellow colour. In the interior of the two circles there is the graphical element of the she-wolf with the two siblings Romulus and Remus, over which it is written and underlined semicircle "Asociaţia Italienilor din România", whereas under it the abbreviation RO.AS.IT. The graphical symbol is registered at the Patent and Trademark Office (O.S.I.M.), deposited under no. 040574 constituted on 20 August 1996, published in the Official Gazette for Industrial Properties, Section Trademarks, no. 6/1998, later on modified conforming to the decision of the O.S.I.M. no. 559109 of 23 June 2008 and republished in the Official Gazette for Industrial Properties, Section Trademarks, no. 4/2008."
I am not sure if the symbol is also used on flags. I have found one photograph4, that implies the usage of the symbol on white background. However, these seem to be small or large paper sheets only, and not flags. Nevertheless, I have made a gif of a presumptive flag.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Association of Italians of Romania
2. The statute of the Association (PDF, Romanian)
3. The statute of the Association (PDF, Italian)
4. Photograph showing the Association's emblem as a possible flag

Marcus Schmöger, 8 December 2008


Lipovan Russians' community flag

The minority of Lipovan Russians (Russian Old Believers) is represented by the CRLR (Comunitatea Ruşilor Lipoveni din România = Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania). The CRLR has been founded on 14 January 19901 2 and has been holding one seat in the Chamber of Deputies continuously since 1990.

The symbol of the CRLR has changed a little over time1 3 4 8, the main elements are the boat on the water.

The current statute of 2004 describes the symbol as follows2:

"Art. 62
The symbol of the Community is the boat on water, a seagull in flight and a sunrise in a circle; the symbol for elections is the boat on water in a circle."
Images can be found at4 5 6 7. The symbol is not only used for the elections, but also prominently displayed on the CRLR journal "Zorile"8.

I have not found any particular party or organizational flag. Even the Russian flag seems to be used only for special occasions like celebrating the victory in WWII9. On the other hand some flags were used during festivities in 2000: the photograph is not really clear, though1.

Sources:
1. Moldovan, S (2004) Comunitatea Ruşilor Lipoveni, Bucharest (Ararat).
2. The statute of the Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania
3. The symbol of the Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania
4. The symbol of the Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania
5. The symbol of the Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania
6. The symbol of the Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania (DOC, Romanian)
7. The symbol of the Community of Lipovan Russians in Romania
8. About "Zorile" journal
9. "Zorile" journal about the celebration of the victory in WWII (PDF document)

Marcus Schmöger, 3 January 2009


Roma political flag

[Partida Romilor Pro Europa] image by Marcus Schmöger, 8 December 2008

The Partida Romilor Pro Europa (Party of the Roma for Europe) is the representation of the Roma, and it has one reserved seat in the Chamber of Deputies (as the other 17 minorities' organizations). Originally, the party was known as Social Democratic Roma Party (Partida Romilor Social-Democrată), changed its name into Partida Romilor later, and now the name is Partida Romilor Pro Europa.

The symbol is described in the statute1:

"The symbol of the associaition "Party of the Roma For Europe" is a trefoil with three leaves".
For the flag, I have found a few images of table flags2 3. These are white, show the party symbol (the trefoil) in black over the (old) party abbreviation PRSD in blue, all in a black rectangular outline. It is probable that newer flags would be similar, but with the updated party abbreviation "PR". I had reported about another flag, namely the Romanian flag with the party symbol in the central stripe. I have not found additional information on this one.

Sources:
1. The statute of PRPE
2. Flag photo
3. Flag photo

Marcus Schmöger, 8 December 2008

Possible Roma political flag

[Partida Romilor Pro Europa] image by Marcus Schmöger, 7 January 2007

I have not found many true political flags of the political/cultural organizations. Only for the PRSDR (Roma Party) there is some hint that they might use the Romanian flag charged with the party symbol. It is not improbable, though, that this is just a one-off makeshift flag.
Marcus Schmöger, 7 January 2007


Ruthenians' cultural union flag

[Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania - horizontal flag]

images by Marcus Schmöger, 4 January 2009

[Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania - hanging flag] [Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania - table banner]

The Ruthenian minority is represented by the UCRR (Uniunea Culturală a Rutenilor din România = Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania), holding one seat in the Chamber of Deputies continuously since 2000. The symbol1 2 3 is the one used nowadays by the Transcarpathian Oblast of Ukraine, but used before as coat-of-arms of Karpats'ka Ukraine. It can be blazoned as follows: Per pale, dexter barry of eight Azure and Or, sinister Argent, a bear rampant Gules. The flag is the one used by other Ruthenian communities in the world, namely a blue-white-red (2:1:1) horizontal tricolour with the arms in the center. It is used in a horizontal version4 5, a hanging version6 and a table banner version7.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania
2. The symbol of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania (DOC, Romanian)
3. The symbol of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania
4. The flag of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania
5. The flag of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania
6. The hanging flag of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania
7. The table banner of the Cultural Union of Ruthenians of Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 4 January 2009


Tatar union flag

The Tatar minority is represented by the UDTTMR (Uniunea Democrată a Tătarilor Turco-Musulmani din România = Democratic Union of Turco-Islamic Tatars of Romania).

The symbol of the UDTTMR1 2 3 is a clever combination of the Tatar tarak3 as a basis for a mosque, with crescent and star (the mosque being green, everything else being yellow).

I have not found any particular party or organizational flag of the UDTTMR. However, they are using the Crimean Tatar flag together with the Turkish national flag3 4.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Democratic Union of Turco-Islamic Tatars of Romania (DOC, Romanian)
2. The symbol of the Democratic Union of Turco-Islamic Tatars of Romania
3. The symbol of the Democratic Union of Turco-Islamic Tatars of Romania
4. The flags of Crimean Tatars and Turkey as symbols of the Democratic Union of Turco-Islamic Tatars of Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 28 December 2008


Turkish union flag

[Turkish Democratic Union
of Romania] image by Marcus Schmöger, 28 December 2008

The Turkish minority is represented by the UDTR (Uniunea Democrată Turcă din România / Romanya Demokrat Türk Birliğin = Turkish Democratic Union of Romania).

Symbol as shown1 2 3 and described1:

"As emblem, the Turkish Democratic Union of Romania has a globe on which there is the symbol of the Turkish ethnic group (crescent and star), being surrounded in bottom by two olive branches, symbolizing peace. At the base of the globe there is the name of the Turkish Democratic Union of Romania, surrounded by the Romanian tricolour, representing the support the Romanian state gives to the Turkish ethnic group for the preservation of the spiritual-cultural- religious identity."
The colours of the symbol are as follows: the globe is red, crescent and star are white, the branches are green; the field with the party name is white, the name itself blue; the base surrounding this field is (from outside) blue-yellow- red.

The UDTR is obviously using a flag: the party symbol on a white background4.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Turkish Democratic Union of Romania
2. The symbol of the Turkish Democratic Union of Romania
3. The symbol of the Turkish Democratic Union of Romania (DOC, Romanian)
4. The flag of the Turkish Democratic Union of Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 28 December 2008


Ukrainian union flag

The Ukrainian minority is represented by the UUR (Uniunea Ucrainenilor din România = Union of Ukrainians of Romania), holding one seat in the Chamber of Deputies continuously since 1990.

The symbol1 2 3 shows a torch, surmounted by an open book, on the center of the book the Cyrillic letters "СУР" ("SUR"), the party abbreviation in Ukrainian.

I have not found any particular party flag nor any other flag usage.

Sources:
1. The symbol of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania (DOC, Romanian)
2. The symbol of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania
3. The symbol of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania

Marcus Schmöger, 3 January 2009