History

The Order of Cultural Merit was established by King Carol II in 1931. It was suppressed in 1944 and was not awarded after the abolition of the Romanian monarchy until it was reinstated in 2000 following the collapse of the communist regime.

The Order is conferred upon Romanian citizens and foreigners in recognition of achievements in a variety of cultural fields. From 1931-1944 it was awarded in nine different categories for merit in science, education, the National Guard, scouting and sport, social welfare, literature, music and theatre, religion, and general culture. It is currently awarded for merit in literature, music, fine arts, performance arts, national heritage, religion, scientific research, architecture, and the promotion of culture. The categories have always been denoted by different ribbons.

Membership in the Knight grade is limited to 450 members for merit in literature, 350 members for merit in music, 500 members for merit in fine arts, 500 members for merit in performance arts, 500 members for merit in national heritage, 580 members for merit in the promotion of culture, 500 members for merit in religion, 400 members for merit in scientific research, and 300 members for merit in architecture.

The Knight has a reverse inscription that translates to "Cultural Merit."

The earlier decorations are listed in the Orders of the Kingdom of Romania (1881-1947). See also the Medal of Cultural Merit in the Medals & Decorations of the Kingdom of Romania (1881-1947) and Romania (1990-) for the medal that was created alongside this Order.