Romanians and Bulgarians celebrated the most historic moment for their countries since they overthrew communism in 1989, marking their entry into the European Union with festivities that added doses of pride and hope to the usual New Year’s revelry.

In Bucharest, Romania’s capital, in the square where an angry crowd shouted down Nicolae Ceausescu, the communist dictator, just before his overthrow in December 1989, tens of thousands counted down the seconds to midnight. Fireworks then lit the night sky and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy played while small groups formed circles and danced the Hora, a traditional Romania folk dance.