Render Unto Caesar

Throughout human history, religion and politics have been the two most basic building blocks of society. To paraphrase Nietzsche, the one explains the “why” of our existence; the other provides the “how.”

Romania’s exploration of “why” and “how” have swung to the extremes. At the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, Romania is rich in the natural resources of the Danube and the Carpathian mountain ranges—including oil and mineral wealth—and ports along the Black Sea. From early Gothic invaders, to the occupation by Roman armies, to the upheaval brought by Soviet Communism, Romania has been in constant turmoil.

But it could be argued that the worst occupation Romania has suffered came from within. For twenty years, Romanian culture and history was torn apart and reformed under Nicolae Ceaușescu’s brand of National Communism. Totalitarian and structured as a Stalinist-style cult of personality, Ceaușescu brought poverty and repression to Romania. The country still has not recovered more than thirty years after his execution at the hands of the National Salvation Front, after a spontaneous uprising in Bucharest.

Through autobiographical narrative interviews and environmental portraits, we will document individual experiences and stories to create both an historical record and to raise awareness of the social and cultural costs wrought by communism. We will also show how Romanians have overcome their challenges and actively work toward a brighter future.

Our project goal is to present the stories in printed form. This will include both a book and subset collections grouped by theme.