Aspen Institute Romania’s 20th anniversary year has brought together the Aspen Ideas in Action Leadership Forum, the Aspen Institute Romania 20th Anniversary Gala and Aspen Institute Romania @20 at Aspen Meadows, Colorado – featuring a Dedicated Panel at Aspen Security Forum, a Romanian wine tasting and showcase of the exhibition “100 Years – Queen Marie of Romania’s Visit to America (1926-2026)”, the Film Screening & Aspen Dialogue – “Maria, Heart of Romania”, and a Concert at the Aspen Music Festival conducted by Maestro Cristian Măcelaru – and will continue with the 15th edition of the Bucharest Forum. As we celebrate two decades of promoting values-based leadership, we extend our deepest gratitude to our Jubilee Strategic Partners – Vodafone, BCR, PPC, Raiffeisen Bank, Cencora – whose unwavering support and shared vision make our mission possible.
Aspen Ideas in Action Leadership Forum
On May 27, Aspen Institute Romania hosted the first edition of the Aspen Ideas in Action Leadership Forum in Bucharest, under the theme “Two Decades of Aspen Romania Community: Ideas, Action, Impact”. The one-day gathering brought together the Aspen community, partners and international network to reflect on the initiatives generated throughout the Institute’s first 20 years and to bring forward ideas for its next chapter.
The programme blended the Aspen Seminar tradition with panels, workshops and an initiatives showcase focused on the origins and legacy of the Aspen Idea, community impact, public leadership, values-driven entrepreneurship and the next generation of leaders. A dedicated Fellowship Initiative enabled 23 participants to attend the plenary sessions and take part in an Aspen Leadership Seminar moderated by Todd Breyfogle and Mădălina Mocan, connecting reflection with practical action.
Aspen Institute Romania 20th Anniversary Gala
On May 28, the Aspen Institute Romania 20th Anniversary Gala took place at Mogoșoaia Palace as both a celebration of excellence and a space for strategic reflection. The evening honored a community built over two decades and reaffirmed Aspen’s threefold vocation: ideas that inspire, leadership that guides and action that transforms.
Mircea Geoană opened the evening, which also featured a recorded address by President Nicușor Dan and a conversation with Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu on heritage and urban regeneration. The Gala honored Todd Breyfogle and Elliot Gerson for their outstanding contributions to the Institute’s journey, while the Brand Romania Leadership Award went to Via Transilvanica, represented by Alin Ușeriu.
“It’s Not You, It’s U.S.: The Future of NATO” panel – Aspen Security Forum 2026
On July 16, Aspen Institute Romania hosted “It’s Not You, It’s U.S.: The Future of NATO”, a dedicated panel organized in partnership with the Aspen Strategy Group at Aspen Security Forum 2026. The discussion brought together Nils Schmid, Parliamentary State Secretary to Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence; Chris Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Anduril; General Christopher Cavoli (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. European Command and former Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and Mircea Geoană, former NATO Deputy Secretary General and Founder of Aspen Institute Romania. The conversation was moderated by Courtney Kube of NBC News.
The panel looked beyond the Ankara Summit and explored the emerging shape of NATO 3.0. Participants described the summit as the beginning of a deeper transformation, centered on greater European and Canadian responsibility, sustained support for Ukraine, faster defence-industrial production and stronger readiness. They also examined transatlantic co-production, hybrid threats and the need to align security with technology, trade, finance and investment. Mircea Geoană described the transition as a move from European hyperdependence toward a partnership of equals.
Romanian wine tasting & showcase of the Romanian exhibition: 100 years – Queen Marie of Romania’s visit to America (1926–2026)
On July 18, guests gathered at Paepcke Auditorium at Aspen Meadows for a Romanian wine tasting and a showcase of the exhibition “100 Years – Queen Marie of Romania’s Visit to America (1926-2026)”. The exhibition marked the centenary of Queen Marie’s historic journey, which took place between October 18 and November 24, 1926, and retraced her itinerary through the United States and Canada, her official meetings and encounters with Romanian communities, and the extensive American press coverage of the visit.
Comprising 20 documentary photo panels, the exhibition drew on materials from the National Archives of Romania, the Diplomatic Archives of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Daniel Obreja Collection. It was organized by the National Cotroceni Museum in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute, on the initiative of Aspen Institute Romania and the Friends of Romania Foundation, with support from the Renașterea Foundation and sponsorship from Aqua Carpatica and Crama DeMatei.
Film Screening & Aspen Dialogue – “Maria, Heart of Romania”
The July 18 programme continued with the screening of John Florescu’s documentary “Maria, Heart of Romania”. Drawing on rare archival footage and Queen Marie’s own words, the film revisited her role during the First World War, her diplomatic efforts at the Paris Peace Conference and her contribution to strengthening Romania’s image and international standing. The screening was followed by an Aspen Dialogue between John Florescu and Maestro Cristian Măcelaru. Their conversation brought history, film and music into a contemporary reflection on cultural diplomacy and the transatlantic relationship, underscoring why Queen Marie’s legacy remained relevant one hundred years after her landmark American tour.
Concert at the Aspen Music Festival conducted by Maestro Cristian Măcelaru
On July 19, Aspen Institute Romania’s 20th anniversary was acknowledged at the beginning of an official Aspen Music Festival and School concert at the Klein Music Tent, where Maestro Cristian Măcelaru conducted the Aspen Festival Orchestra. The performance formed part of the festival’s 77th edition, organized under the theme “For All” and celebrating inclusivity and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The programme opened with Dvořák’s “Carnival Overture” and continued with the world premiere of Matthew Aucoin’s “Two Thresholds”, featuring Christine Goerke and Chea Kang. Augustin Hadelich performed Barber’s Violin Concerto, while the evening closed with George Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1. The finale placed Romanian musical heritage at the heart of an anniversary celebration that connected leadership, culture and international dialogue.
Bucharest Forum 2026
On November 19-20, Bucharest Forum 2026 will convene military and government officials, business leaders, experts and practitioners for its 15th edition. Held under the title “On the Edge of Realignment”, the Forum will be co-organized by Aspen Institute Romania and the German Marshall Fund of the United States, under the High Patronage of the President of Romania.
The agenda will examine how businesses and institutions will adapt as geopolitics and political risk become central variables, how middle powers will shape global outcomes, and which investments and partnerships in trade, energy, defence and healthcare will determine future competitiveness. The Forum will seek to move beyond diagnosing global turbulence and toward writing an emerging playbook for resilience, readiness and strategic action.
