Miroslav Radu’s ‘The Eternal Flame’ to Become Nicolae Gheorghe Memorial
On the occasion of World Roma Day, we are honored to announce that the project “The Eternal Flame” by artist and spatial practitioner Miroslav Radu has been selected as the winning proposal for the Nicolae Gheorghe Memorial, to be realized in Bucharest.
Following the careful evaluation of 12 proposals, the Jury selected this project as the one that most clearly embodies the spirit, vision, and teachings of Nicolae Gheorghe. At the heart of the design is the symbol of the flame—a metaphor for Gheorghe’s lifelong dedication to justice, dignity, and the empowerment of Roma communities. It speaks to his unwavering energy and capacity to illuminate structural injustice while inspiring generations to act.
While the form of the proposed memorial reflects brutalist architecture, the artist’s intention is to realize it using earthy materials—such as rammed earth or terracotta—connecting the monument to the ground, memory, and place.
The Jury deliberations were held in the presence of representatives from the five Roma-led network organizations—Roma for Europe, Roma Education Fund, Roma for Democracy, Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, and ERIAC—as well as members of Nicolae Gheorghe’s family, including his daughters, whose voices brought emotional and personal depth to the process.
Miroslav Radu is a Romani cultural curator, facilitator, and spatial practitioner, born in Kikinda, Serbia, and currently based in London. His practice spans over 10 years and revolves around the belief that artists bring engagement, togetherness, and beauty to the spaces and communities they work within.
He studied Architecture at Central Saint Martins, London, and is the founder of Green Table, a creative studio focused on embedding artists into spaces through exhibitions, talks, and cultural activations. His work emphasizes archive, collective memory, and material heritage—often manifested through physical artefacts and spatial storytelling.
Radu’s experience includes working with leading cultural institutions such as Tate Modern, where he contributed to the Tate Late program; and co-creating accessible creative infrastructure with charities, developers, and social enterprises in London. One such project includes a gallery and workshop space in King’s Cross, supporting local artists through a residency program.
