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Anniversary of a Revolution 25 YEARS - DECEMBER 2014 |
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Republica Socialista Romania |
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In 2014 it will be 25 years since the Fall of the Berline Wall and the the so-called Revolution which saw the overthrow of Nicolae Ceausescu, the end of his "Golden Epoch" the fall of Communism and the birth of a free Romania. For those with an interest in contemporary history |
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+44 (0)1900 838570 |
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![]() ![]() By the mid '80s economy measures such as food and fuel rationing lead to a life of endless queuing and empty shelves - an indication of serious mismanagement in a country which is not only extremely fertile but possesses enormous reserves of oil and minerals! Buses, trucks and even taxis with methane gas tanks were a common sight. ![]() Of course the legacy of the recent past can still be seen today in the remains of crumbling heavy industry, for example, the notorious carbon black plant at Copsa Mica, closed in 1993, or the derelict oil refineries at Ploiesti. Indeed, although Romania still has some of the best unspoilt natural habitats in Europe, there are areas blighted by serious industrial pollution - notably the lead smelters at Copsa Mica, the Aluminium plant at Zlatna near Alba Iulia, and the Gold mining and other heavy metal mining at Baia Mare, Baia Borsa and Rodna. ![]() Copsa Mica today - colour has returned amidst the derelict factory buildings Suburbs of crumbling apartment blocks ring large cities, or blight smaller towns in places once pinpointed for "systematisation", sometimes coupled with the widespread destruction of historic architecture to create a so-calle 'Centru Civica" in cities such as Piatra Neamt, Iasi, or Craiova. There are also the monoliths of Communist central planning such as the Stalinist Free Press building, and Ceausescu's infamous "Palace of Parliament" and Piata Unirii in Bucharest, the construction of which saw the senseless bulldozing of the entire historic Uranus district. Just a glimpse at the extravagant but entirely kitsch decoration of any of the Dictator's residences emphasises the lack of any culture! ![]() |
![]() The personality cult of Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu - a communist dynasty! ![]() "Vice president, Comrade, Academician, Doctor, Engineer Elena Ceausescu" - heiress to the dictatorial throne! |
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![]() Petrol was strictly rationed as fuel, like food was exported, to pay off foreign debt and fund grandiose projects. Petrol queues were common in town and countryside with drivers often waiting well over a day and night. |
roadside signs extolling the virtues of leader, party or country - not to mention the slogans emblazoned across factories and public buildings and the smil reception, museum or gallery. Here was the real "Big Brother" - in Romania it was always "1984" ![]() You couldn't escape this modern day "Dracula" anywhere - here rather appropriately on the "Borgo" Pass ![]() |
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Copyright © 2014 Transylvania Uncovered - the Romania Travel Specialists
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