Romania
"Traiasca Regele"

Words by: Vasile Alecsandri
Music by: Eduard Hubsch
In use: 1881-1947

Romania's first national anthem in use was "Traiasca Regele", which was used until the deposition of the monarchy on December 30, 1947. The Romanian composer George Enescu quoted this anthem in his "Poème Roumain", op. 1; in performances of Enescu's work during the communist era, this piece was edited out. After the end of the communist regime, this piece was once again played in Enescu's work.

The lyrics are by Vasile Alecsandri, considered one of Romania's great national poets. He was a figure in the 1848 revolution and later in the 1859 union of Moldavia and Walachia, which is considered the founding of modern Romania. The music was by captain Eduard Hubsch, general inspector for military music in Romania.

Special thanks to: Adrian Vexler and Cristian Balan for some of this information, Pavel Zinovatny for some more information and the music file, and Manfred Jakobi for the sheet music.

See also: Romania (1948-1953), Romania (1953-1977), Romania (1977-1990), Romania (1990-).