“Flavours of Romania” with Charlie Ottley: Documentaries, Romanian Traditions, and Poetry at the State Library NSW
On 25 February 2026, the State Library of New South Wales hosted a cultural event organized by the Embassy of Romania in Australia, dedicated to promoting the values and beauty of Romania. The event was honored by the presence of journalist and producer Charlie Ottley, renowned for his documentaries about Romania, including Flavours of Romania, Wild Carpathia, and Wild Danube.
The event’s presenter, Anișoara Laura Mustețiu, writer and promoter of Romanian and Australian culture, opened the evening with a warm welcome to the audience and greeted the guests of honor, His Excellency Radu Safta, Ambassador of Romania to Australia, the britisch journalist Charlie Ottley with his wife Oana Mihai, representatives of the New South Wales Government, and special guests such as Benjamin Cameron Franklin, President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales.
The Ambassador of Romania in Australia, Radu Safta delivered a speech highlighting cultural collaboration and the strong relations between Romania and Australia, emphasizing the role of culture as a bridge connecting the two countries.
Mr. Benjamin Cameron Franklin, President of the Senate of the Parliament of New South Wales, gave a short speech, underlining the importance of intercultural dialogue and initiatives that bring communities closer together, stating: “Australia and Romania are located in opposite regions of the world, but we are bound by something deeper than geography: faith in democracy, the preservation of culture, and responsible stewardship of the environment for future generations.”
Afterwards, Anișoara Laura Mustețiu spoke about Charlie Ottley’s remarkable work and welcomed him onto the stage. The British journalist presented a selection of his documentaries, showcasing the beauty of Romania’s landscapes, the richness of its traditions, and the depth of its culture. Through authentic images and stories, he shared the emotions and profound connection he feels with Romania, which he describes as a space of soul and authenticity.
While Wild Carpathia reveals Romania’s soul through its breathtaking landscapes, Flavours of Romania unveils its heart — through its people, traditions, and the simple act of sharing food. The series has been among the most-watched documentaries on Netflix, significantly contributing to promoting Romania’s image worldwide.
At the end of the screenings, the event featured a Q&A session, where participants interacted directly with Charlie Ottley. The insightful questions from Daniela Liga and George Roca contributed to a lively discussion about Charlie Ottley’s projects and cultural perspectives.
At the conclusion of the documentary presentations, Charlie Ottley commented:
“I am so happy to have been able to show my Australian compatriots the beauty of Romania, my adopted homeland. I believe the two cultures have so much to share, not least a love for nature and wild spaces, and I am confident that Romania’s rich and ancient cultural heritage, which makes it such a fascinating place to visit, will greatly inspire the adventurous and courageous spirit of the Australian people!”
The second part of the evening was dedicated to poetry. Anișoara Laura Mustețiu recited her own poem Transylvania of my heart, dedicated to her native land as well as to the guest of honor Charlie Ottley and his wife, Oana Mihai.
This was followed by the presentation of the anthology The Universal Within the Local. Daniel Ioniță, President of the Romanian-Australian Academy of Culture, gave a brief introduction about the Eminescu Festivals in Sydney and the associated bilingual project. Angela Stretch, director of the Poetry Sydney cultural group, spoke about the perspective and contribution of these cultural collaborations, while Romanian and Australian poets, including Adriana Paul, Dr. Anne Casey, and Tatiana Bonch, recited poems in both Romanian and English. Daniel Ioniță recited the poem Eminescu, written by George Roca, and the evening concluded with a musical segment performed by Emeritus Prof. Dr. Daniel Reynaud and his wife, Emi Reynaud.
The event was warmly hosted by the State Library of New South Wales, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2026 and is one of Australia’s most prestigious cultural institutions. The support of Director Dr. Caroline Butler-Bowden and the team responsible for venue arrangements was essential to the evening’s success, providing an elegant and welcoming setting for the documentary screenings, poetry readings, and Romanian-Australian cultural dialogue. The hosts’ involvement highlighted the vital role of cultural institutions in promoting dialogue between countries and cultures and in strengthening community ties.
The event was organized with the support of His Excellency Radu Safta, Ambassador of Romania to Australia, and was attended by over 60 guests from political, business, cultural, academic, and media circles. Among the attendees were the Consul General in Sydney, Ioan-Gheorghe Crișan, priests Ovidiu Oprea and Nicu Drancă, writer Smaranda Kafka, members of the Phoenix Association, as well as prominent figures from the Romanian community in Sydney.
The evening demonstrated the powerful connection between culture and diplomacy, providing a platform for intercultural dialogue and exchange between Romania and Australia. By showcasing Romania’s cultural heritage and natural beauty, the event strengthened bilateral ties as well as mutual appreciation between communities, highlighting the essential role of culture in building bridges of understanding and collaboration between nations.
