Save Roșia Montană Campaign

Let's review what happened. The Roșia Montană mine proposal, led by the RMGC company, aimed at open-pit mining using cyanide to extract gold, sparking widespread opposition. It faced criticism for its potential environmental and cultural impact, including the destruction of villages and mountains, and archaeological sites dating back to Roman times. Despite efforts to obtain approvals, the project failed to meet environmental and heritage laws. It was also met with ongoing protests, especially in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. The "Save Roșia Montană" campaign, spearheaded by locals and activists, highlighted concerns about ecological and cultural preservation, leading to significant political disputes and legal battles. The campaign is regarded as the largest civic movement in Romania since the 1989 Revolution.

Part of the protest movement was also the Fân Fest activism or protest festival, which took place here in the location where you are now, every year from 2004 to 2015. It was created by locals and volunteers from all over Romania. Their combined aim was to save Rosia Montana by raising wide public awareness about the destructive mine proposal. In addition to activism and civil disobedience workshops and information meetings about the mine proposal, the festival also included music concerts, performances, and guided tours. Anyone could attend FanFest which was free of charge and completely organized by volunteers and locals. Many famous Romanian bands came to support the cause and performed on a pro bono basis.

The resistance movement undertook  ingenious protest actions and exerted great public pressure. The vigilance, ingenuity, and dedication of its members to the cause of Roșia Montană did not go unrewarded. Year after year, the Save Roșia Montană campaign had successes and a strong voice despite the fact that both Gabriel Resources, the Canadian mine owner and the government  saw their work as merely a disruptive factor meant to "throw a spanner in the works" without having a major impact. But despite being disregarded by the authorities, the Save Roșia Montană campaign stubbornly continued its actions which  culminated in the large-scale mobilization of civil society in the extensive protests that in 2013 led to the blocking of the project. Many of the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets to save Rosia Montana in 2013 had first visited and fallen in love with this place during FanFest. In other words FanFest became the catalyst for a citizen mobilization so large and punchy that it is known as Romania’s autumn.

The Fân Fest, Romania's largest activism festival, held its final edition in 2015, marking a decade of promoting sustainable development options for communities. It served as a cornerstone of the ecological movement in Eastern Europe, hosting the most important Activist Social Forum in Romania and inspiring activists globally. In July 2015, after being frustrated for not being given the green light for its mine, Gabriel Resources filed an Arbitration Request with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington.The work of those involved did not end with the 2015 festival edition. Roșia Montană faced challenges in the following years, including the withdrawal of the file for its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018. However, the file was resubmitted, and Roșia Montană was included on the World Heritage List in July 2021. And in 2015 Gabriel Resources initiated the arbitration process, after 9 years of litigation, in March 2024 the verdict was rendered: Romania won the case!

In light of past events, we can conclude that this struggle, though long, with moments of despair, had a goal that was fulfilled over time. Roșia Montană remains a symbol of optimism, perseverance, and triumph. And now many of those who fought to save Rosia Montana are involved in restoring Rosia Montana to its former glory

You have listened to the content dedicated to the Save Roșia Montană Campaign.

The UNESCO tour of Rosia Montana is a project implemented by the non-governmental organization ‘Rosia Montana in Patrimoniul Mondial’. The audio-tour is co-financed by Romania’s Administration for National Cultural Funds. We based our story telling on local anecdotes and the works listed on the bibliography on our website. We encourage you to follow the trail that we prepared for you via our website. This will ensure that you discover all objects and their stories of Rosia Montana. Have a pleasant journey and ‘drum bun’ as we say here.