Dan Stoenescu

Romanian Shelf Inaugurated at National Library of Pakistan to Strengthen Cultural Ties

A significant milestone in Romania–Pakistan cultural and educational cooperation was marked on Wednesday with the inauguration of the “Romanian Shelf” at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad.

The initiative was launched during an official visit by Dr. Dan Stoenescu, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, who presented a formal donation of Romanian books to Muhammad Ali Shahzad Muzaffar, Director General of the National Library of Pakistan.

The donated collection, published by the Romanian Cultural Institute Publishing House, includes books on Romanian history, literature, art, and cultural heritage, offering Pakistani readers a valuable insight into Romania’s rich intellectual and cultural legacy.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Stoenescu said libraries play a vital role in connecting people, preserving identity, and promoting mutual understanding.

“The Romanian Shelf at the National Library of Pakistan is more than a collection of books — it is an open invitation to discover Romania’s spirit, creativity, and scholarship,” he said, adding that educational and cultural cooperation remains a key pillar of the Romania–Pakistan partnership.

During the visit, both sides also discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Library of Pakistan and the National Library of Romania to facilitate long-term institutional collaboration, including exchanges of publications, expertise, and joint cultural initiatives.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Eduard Preda, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Romania, Georgiana Costea-Glugă, Romanian soprano and coordinator of opera courses at PNCA, and Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Member of the National Assembly and president of the Young Parliamentarian Forum.

The establishment of the Romanian Shelf reflects the shared commitment of both countries to deepening people-to-people ties and promoting cultural diplomacy through education, literature, and the arts.