Romanians in Bulgaria and worldwide celebrated their day of national culture on Monday.

January 15 is the birth date of Mihai Eminescu, a poet and novelist who contributed to national revival in the age of Romanticism.

An event was held on the occasion at the Romanian Embassy in Sofia bringing together academicals, teachers, journalists, translators and Romanian-speaking pupils.

Romania's Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Anton Pacuretu held an opening speech, stressing both countries' joint effort to help promote each other's culture.

Children from the Mihai Eminescu high school in Bulgaria's capital were the main participants, reciting verses from Romania's most famous poet and performing a brief theatrical sketch.

Renowned translator Georgeta Bold then paid tribute to all Romanian works published in Bulgarian over the past year.

The event has been held against the backdrop of the 135th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Romania celebrated in December 2014.

As many as 5454 people in Bulgaria have declared Romanian as their mother tongue, according to the 2011 census.