On February 23, Romanian Cultural Centre (RCC) and Environmental and Social Change (ESC) continue to celebrate the cultural and natural heritage of Roşia Montană, following the recent victories won by civil society and local communities. That’s why we invite you to come and discover the story behind the 16 year long battle against corporate greed at Roşia and other similar stories from around the world.
In an event in partnership with Gaia Foundation, RCC will host a special screening ahead of the UK release of the documentary “In Defence of Life”. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and achievements of such resilient communities.
On February 6, Roşia Montană celebrated its 1885th anniversary. It was a day after the Ministry of Culture in Romania added this unique European village to the country's tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The public announcement came 6 years after the request was initially submitted.
Situated in the Apuseni Mountains (Transylvania), the picturesque village of Roşia Montană has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. It is the oldest documented mining settlement in Romania and the continent's largest gold deposit, yet this quiet place with warm-hearted people risked irreversible damage to their ancestral land, in exchange for another’s short-term profits. For more than a decade, the Canadian mining company Gabriel Resources had been trying to commence work in the area but had repeatedly been denied permission due to a strong opposition from the civil society and numerous local, national and international NGOs.
Come and celebrate people power, be part of Roşia’s unfolding inspiring story!
In Defence of Life (2016)
The documentary "In Defence of Life" (2016) is a Gaia Foundation production and it follows the struggles and triumphs of communities in Colombia, Romania, South Africa and the Philippines as they encounter mining projects. Examining the whys and hows of their struggles in the communities’ own words, the film raises deep questions about the common assertion that mining generates prosperity and development. By bringing together voices from seemingly distant parts of the world, the film shows that the localised struggles of these communities form part of a global pattern of opposition to extractivism; that when injustice and destruction are globalised, so is resistance.
The film is an invitation to everyone, everywhere to stand up in defence of life.
Guest speaker
Hal Rhoades is Communications and Advocacy officer at The Gaia Foundation and a Regional Coordinator for the “Yes to Life”, “No to Mining Network”. He is privileged to work alongside inspiring social movements, networks and communities worldwide that are challenging the extractive industries and pioneering ecologically and socially just paths into the future. He was part of the production team of the documentary “In Defence of Life” (2016).
The Gaia Foundation is a small UK non governmental organisation operating internationally to protect and promote biological and cultural diversity. With its partners around the world, Gaia is committed to working towards food, land and water sovereignty, and a fairer, more just world.
