Epoca de Aur

Even though rationing of basic foodstuffs had been introduced in parts of the Romanian countryside as early as 1978, by the time of the great Daciada of 1981, when Nicolae Ceausescu's propaganda team organised a massive display of nationalism rare in socialist societies, the Ceausescu era had become known as the Epoca de Aur (Golden Era). From that date forward all references in the press, in literature and even in daily life to the Ceausescu era were by default labelled as Epoca de Aur. The authorities hoped that if people were told often enough that they were living in a golden age, they might actually believe it. The lengthy queues for milk, bread and meat - when available - told a different story.

Since the revolution of 1989 that swept Ceausescu away, his era has remained in the general consciousness as Epoca de Aur. Now, however, the irony is intentional.

A new exhibition at the MNIR (Romanian National History Museum) aims to bring the realities of the Epoca de Aur to a wider audience. Making use of the vast collection of communist era exhibits at its disposal, the MNI has put this exhibition together with the ACM (Civic Media Association). It is slated to run until February 28, but will in all likeliness become a permanent fixture. The ACM hopes it will become the precursor to a permanent and more comprehensive Museum of Communism.