November 30, 2024

Surveillance and shortages: A British teacher in 1960s Cold War Communist Romania (377)

1 hour 1 minute

In 1967 a young British professor found himself in Bucharest, Romania, under the most intriguing circumstances.

Ron Mackay shares his fascinating experiences as he navigated life and teaching in a communist country. When he set foot on Romanian soil, he was met with challenges and intrigue. The stark realities of life under a communist regime painted a picture of a world vastly different from his own. Yet, amidst the restrictions, he found beauty in the Romanian culture, architecture, and the resilience of its people.

Despite the oppressive environment, his students were eager to learn and engage, offering him a glimpse into their lives and aspirations. The lack of resources and the ever-present surveillance added complexity to his teaching experience.

The episode also explores his adventures beyond the classroom, from navigating the bustling streets of Bucharest to travelling through the picturesque Romanian countryside, his encounters with locals, fellow expatriates, and even a mysterious British engineer.

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Related episodes:

Cold War, Warm Hearts - Hitchhiking behind the 1960s Iron Curtain https://pod.fo/e/2098ae

A Childhood under the eye of the Secret Police https://pod.fo/e/a4730

My life laid bare through secret police files https://pod.fo/e/12e45f

A Hungarian childhood in Cold War Romania https://pod.fo/e/1190aa

Escaping from Cold War Romania https://pod.fo/e/11ad63

Emanuela - a Cold War Romanian Childhood https://pod.fo/e/f0376

Reporting the 1989 Romanian Revolution https://pod.fo/e/1ea8c

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode377/

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0:00:01 Teaching in Cold War Romania

0:04:30 Cultural Exchange Mission in Romania

0:12:07 First Impressions of Bucharest

0:25:43 Living Under Surveillance in Romania

0:42:14 Interactions in Rural Romania

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By Ian Sanders

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