British journalist Charley Ottley became a Romanian citizen: “I can finally call Romania my spiritual and legal home!”
Charley Ottley obtained the honorary citizenship of Romania for Cultural Services. The British journalist took the oath of allegiance on Thursday, November 6. The TV star sent, on Facebook, a message of thanks to all those who supported him in this endeavor.
Charley Ottley obtained Romanian citizenship. PHOTO Facebook Charley Ottley
The ceremony of taking the oath of allegiance to Romania took place at the headquarters of the National Authority for Citizenship.
“Thank you to Her Excellency Laura Popescu, the Romanian ambassador in London for the nomination for Honorary Citizenship of Romania for Cultural Services. Finally, I can call Romania my spiritual and legal home! Thank you to everyone who supported our efforts and don't forget to watch Flavors of Romania and the Republic of Moldova on Netflix Romania! It is the last series of the trilogy and perhaps our best work!”, Charley Ottley said on Facebook on Thursday.
“There was a time when there were too few opportunities in Romania and it was understandable that people left”
Two years ago, the director of the famous documentary “Flavors of Romania” said that Romanians who work across the border have more to lose than to gain.
“It's normal to want to see the world, but you have so much here in your country. There was a time when there were too few opportunities in Romania and it was understandable that people left here to look for jobs, in London for example. But after Brexit there was an economic decline in Great Britain, inflation increased, expenses increased, it's very difficult for those who come to work abroad and want to send money home. Car insurance, rent, taxes, home insurance, electricity, there is very little money left that you could send to your loved ones”declared Charlie Ottley, for “Adevărul”, adding that maybe you earn less in Romania but there is the possibility to save.
“You might not find your parents when you come back from abroad”
The well-known journalist addressed a message to all Romanians who are across the borders and who are separated by the Holidays from everything they hold dearest in the world: children, parents and grandparents.
“Family comes first. Living across the border, you lose all those precious moments with your grandparents, they could die while you're away, and you don't get to spend their last years with them. More sad, kids, they don't get to know their grandparents, develop that special relationship with them, learn from them. You might not find your parents when you come back from abroad, we're only on Earth for a short time.”says the Briton.
“If you're gone for 10 years, you only come home once a year, say Christmas, their lives go on without you. You lose these precious moments with the people who are closest to you, your family, your blood, and I think that's the most important thing.” explained Ottley.
“Romania is a growing country”
Ottley believes that Romanians could make a future for themselves in their country, without having to endure loneliness and the lack of loved ones.
“Romania is a growing country, where there are many possibilities and there will be many more opportunities, especially in tourism. When foreigners discover Romania, they will want to come back. I am so happy that I receive messages from Romanians who see my documentary and who tell me: we are returning home, we miss home. Romania could be one of the great nations of Europe. And it has more to offer for those who want to open businesses here than many countries in the West Europe”said Charlie Ottley, for “The Truth”.
Charlie Ottley is the director and presenter of the documentary “Flavors of Romania”, made exclusively in Romania, in which the most beautiful, unique places in the country, traditional customs and recipes, as well as fairytale landscapes are presented.
