This edition marked a significant moment in the evolution of the event’s organizer: the renaming of the Alexandrion Foundation to the Nawaf Salameh Foundation, as a tribute to the memory of its founder, Dr. Nawaf Salameh.
The Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2025, held on December 3rd in Bucharest, brought Romanian cultural excellence to the forefront in a commemorative edition dedicated to the founder of the Alexandrion Foundation, Dr. Nawaf Salameh. The event marked an essential milestone in the foundation’s journey: its renaming to the Nawaf Salameh Foundation, in appreciation of the memory of its founder, Dr. Nawaf Salameh, the initiator of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala and of many cultural and philanthropic projects. The Foundation and the Salameh family will continue all projects with strong impact on the community, initiated by Dr. Salameh, and will launch new ones. The Nawaf Salameh Foundation is part of the Nawaf Salameh Family Office.
Antonio Salameh, Chairman of Alexandrion Group & the Nawaf Salameh Foundation, stated:
“After the passing of my father, Dr. Nawaf Salameh, many asked me whether we would continue the group’s projects and the foundation’s projects, including the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala. For me and for the entire Salameh family, continuity is very important. For three decades, Dr. Nawaf Salameh managed to build and develop this organization to the level it has reached today, and my mother, my brothers and I will carry forward his vision and all the important projects he began, with the same determination and strength. My father wished to create value for Romania internationally and to raise standards in everything we do, whether we speak of cultural projects or our products. This gala is an expression of this commitment — the promotion of culture and authentic values. And the entire activity of the Group follows the same direction.”
The award ceremony will be broadcast on December 13th, starting at 22:00, on Digi24 TV.
Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards 2025
At this year’s edition, six prizes were awarded for the categories Visual Arts, Architecture, Music, Film, Theatre, and History, along with the Matei Brâncoveanu Award and a Special Prize for Education. The awards honor the excellence and impact of the laureates on the evolution of Romanian culture.
The laureates of the 12th edition of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala are:
Theatre: Răzvan Mazilu – Award for Lifetime Achievement in theatre and dance, and for the productions “Nijinski – Agony and Ecstasy” (Odeon Theatre), “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht (Excelsior Theatre), “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” by John Cameron Mitchell (Stela Popescu Theatre)
- Film: Coca Bloos – Award for an exceptional career
- Music: Octavian Lazăr Cosma – Award for an exceptional career
- Visual Arts: Suzana Fântânariu – Award for an exceptional career
- Architecture: Vladimir Arsene – Award for the work “ARC Office Building”, Bucharest, 2022–2025
- History: Mihai-Sergiu Burcea – Award for the volume “Fighting for an Illusion. Romanian Volunteers in the International Brigades in Spain”, Cetatea de Scaun Publishing House, 2024
- Matei Brâncoveanu Award – Architecture: Alexandru Cristian Beșliu – Award for the work “Aldo Rossi – a Critical Path. ‘Call Me Aldo.’”, 2025
- Special Award: Magdalena Dina – Award for excellence in education and the formation of future generations
The Jury of the Constantin Brâncoveanu Awards Gala 2025:
This year’s jury brought together prominent figures of Romanian culture: Ștefan Râmniceanu – painter, sculptor, poet, and filmmaker (President & Visual Arts Juror), Marian Moiceanu – architect and Rector of the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism (Vice President & Architecture Juror), Prof. Univ. Dr. Ludmila Patlanjoglu – theatre scholar and theatre critic (Theatre Juror), Magda Mihăilescu – film critic (Film Juror), Sorina Goia – musicologist (Music Juror),
Prof. Dr. Constantin Corneanu – historian and President of the Board of Directors of AESGS “Gheorghe I. Brătianu’’ (History Juror).
The evening was completed by artistic moments that brought the refinement of classical music to the stage through the Vibe Orchestra, conducted by Constantin Grigore, alongside pianist Xenti Runceanu.