Romania’s Cinemas In Ceausescu’s 80s

In 1989 Romania had only one tv channel, that transmitted 3 hours of shows dedicated to Ceausescu, the Romania communist party and to achieving the production.

How could you not run away from a TV program that presented only praises of the so loved ruler.

The schedule for 8 May 1989 (8 May is my birthday and also the communist party’s day):

– 10:00 News

– 19:25 High responsibility for the destinies of Romania’s socialism edification

– 19:45 Ode to the conquering party. Literary-musical-coregraphic show

– 20:20 Founding parents of the Golden Era. The dignity of being a member of the Romanian Communist Party

– 20:35 The thesis and directions designed by Nicolae Ceausescu – programme of work and revolutionary acts

– 20:55 Science – unlimited production force

– 21:10 From capital’s world

– 21:25 Folkloric treasure

– 21:50 News

– 22:00 Closing program

The cinemas were a refuge from these TV shows even if they played easter films and adventure films from France, Italy and the USA…

In 1989 in Bucharest there were over 40 cinemas. They had a specific scent, of dusty plush, disinfectant closet pills, perfumes… had to say precisely. On the 6 March 1945 boulevard (the first communist party), there were 7 cinemas in a row.

They had names such as Union, Capitol, Miorita, Eforie, Aurora, Lumina (Light), Timpuri Noi (New Times), Viitorul (The Future), Victoria (Victory), Patria (The State), Scala, Festival, Central, Feroviarul (The railway), Dacia, Buzesti.

There were two cinematheques and one cinema for children – Doina.

Unfortunately I did not take photos of all the cinemas from that time.

I miss the smell of the 80s cinemas!

More info: abujie.ro