MEDIA INVITATION
When: 12 noon Wednesday 12 December 2018
Where: Elwick Place cinema and leisure complex, Elwick Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1YB
Reply: Press are invited to attend the unveiling of the statue of Queen Marie - to discuss, contact the Communications team at Ashford Borough Council at media@ashford.gov.uk
Please note that the information in this release is embargoed until 12 noon on 12 December
President of the Romanian Cultural Institute unveils statue of Queen Marie in Ashford, Kent
Press release
EMBARGOMIDDAY 12THDECEMBER 2018
10 December 2018
Close ties have been forged between Romania and the Kent market town of Ashford today (Wednesday 12th December) following the unveiling of a statue of Queen Marie of Romania.
A granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Marie was born and lived in Ashford before marrying into the Romanian royal family before the outbreak of the First World War.
The two metre tall bronze statue, which takes pride of place in Elwick Place, a new town centre public plaza surrounded by a multi-million-pound cinema, hotel and leisure complex delivered by developer Stanhope, was unveiled by Dr Liliana Turoiu, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute, and HRH Princess Helen of Romania, Queen Marie's great granddaughter.
The ceremony took place in front of VIP guests including the Ambassador of Romania to the UK, representatives of the Romanian royal family and the Romanian state, as well as members of the Romanian community living in the UK.
British guests included a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, the High Sheriff of Kent, the Mayor of Ashford, and local civic and business guests.
Following the unveiling there was a reception for VIP guests in the new Ashford Picturehouse cinema, followed by a documentary film screening about Queen Marie and her life and work.
The statue has been donated to the borough of Ashford by the Romanian state on the occasion of its Centennial Celebrations (1918-2018). The renowned Bucharest-based artist Laurentiu Duicu was commissioned to create it following a country-wide competition earlier this year.
Dr Liliana Turoiu said: "It is a great honour to be here today to unveil the statue of Queen Marie, one of the symbols of our nation. Throughout 2018, we have been celebrating 100 years of democratic, modern Romania with thousands of events that speak about our history.
"Today, however, we are not just talking but making history. This is a unique, first-time project for the Romanian Cultural Institute and we are proud to have been able to leave an enduring legacy and promote the most important bridge between Romania and the UK."
Speaking about the unveiling of the statue, HRH Princess Helen said: "We are immensely glad that a unique queen such as Marie is so beautifully recognised in her birthplace. She really was special, as throughout her life she feared neither bullets, nor diseases, nor wounds, nor poverty. She was known, and still is today, as the Queen Mother, the Mother of the Wounded, and the Soldier Queen."
Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said the installation of the statue of Queen Marie was a source of huge pride for the town.
"When we were approached by the Romanian Cultural Institute to discuss how best to commemorate the life and work of Queen Marie in the place of her birth in Ashford, we knew immediately that we wanted to honour her memory in Elwick Place, which is destined to become part of the heartbeat of our town centre for generations to come. Fittingly her statue is located within sight of Victoria Park, the largest green space in the town and named after Marie's grandmother.
"I think it is fitting that someone who played such a key role in helping her new country to emerge stronger from the ashes of the First World War should be celebrated and honoured in the town where she was born and in a place where future generations can learn more about this remarkable woman," added Cllr Clarkson.
The project was made possible through the joint effort of the Romanian Cultural Institute, with a grant by the Romanian government's Centenary Funding Scheme, and Ashford Borough Council.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Queen Marie of Romania
Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938) was born and spent her childhood at the Eastwell Estate in Ashford. After the projected marriage between Marie and her cousin, George of York, the future King George V, failed in spite of Queen Victoria's support, Marie married Ferdinand of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, the heir to the Romanian throne. They became monarchs after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
Queen Marie dedicated herself to charitable work during the conflict, working tirelessly as a nurse and setting up her own hospital in the grounds of the Royal Palace in Romania. She was also active in politics, a central character at the Paris Peace Conference, which recognised the unification of all Romanian provinces in one, democratic state. She used her brilliant diplomatic skills and her vast array of connections to secure a favourable outcome.
"From My Heart To Theirs", an article published during the war summoned an entire way of life, dominated by the unconditional love for her adoptive country.
Elwick Place
Elwick Place is officially opened on Saturday 15th December 2018.
Ashford Borough Council has funded the construction of the exciting town centre development, which is opening in phases and includes a new six-screen cinema complete with bar and restaurant, operated by Cineworld's Picturehouse boutique brand. Also opening in December is a 58-bedroom Travelodge hotel, while eight restaurants and retail spaces are also included. It represents a £75 million investment by UK developer Stanhope PLC.
Elwick Place - built on the site of a former cattle market - is part of a wider £520m of investment in development in Ashford town centre under construction or with construction to start soon. For more information visit www.elwickplace.com
Issued on behalf of Ashford Borough Council.
For more information contact:
Darren Laws
01634 671167/07958 304375