On Saturday, October1st, 2011, in the Catacuzino Palace's Hall of Bucharest, the Union of the Performing Musicians of Romania Awards' Gala took place for the first time. This particular date was not chosen randomly, but followed Yehuni Menuhim's (President of the International Music Council for UNESCO) 1975 proposal that October 1^stbe the International Music Day. During the Gala presented by UNIMIR President, Professor Dr. Miltiade Nenoiu, several diplomas and awards were given to renowned artists, as well as to young musicians.

The Excellency Award for the whole career was given to artists such as pianist Valentin Gheorgiu, soprano Mariana Slătinaru-Nistor, bass Pompei Hărăşteanu and violinist Daniel Podlovski. The Young Musician Award was given to pianist Mihai Ritivoiu, sopranos Valentina Naforniţă and Veronica Anuşca, cellist Ştefan Cazacu and cellist Cristina Goicea and the Awards for Events in the George Enescu International Festival were offered to pianists Dan Grigore, Luiza Borac, Viniciu Moroianu, conductors Cristian Mandeal, Horia Andreescu and Tiberiu Soare.

During the same evening, the first concert season of the Union premiered with a recital held by three of the awarded young performers: Ştefan Cazacu, Veronica Anuşca and Mihai Ritivoiu, who performed works by Händel, Popper and Liszt.

This is what Mr. Miltiade Nenoiu, UNIMIR President, told us at the end of the Gala:

"Many generations pass by unrecognized and someone once said that what matters most for an artist is a distinction, a word of praise, the recognition of his work. We were obligated to do it and start this right, as we call ourselves UNIMIR and we began our activity in June, basically. From June up until now, we thought about it and decided we must award all these prizes, merely because we owed it to generations of musicians."