Romania’s turning point

A historic event will take place at midnight in Romania, beyond the usual New Year’s festivity. The country will officially be part of the European Union. Many celebrations will take place including fireworks in Bucuresti. My family will be there to commemorate this important turning point. The journey for Romania since that cold December night in 1989 has been a long and difficult one. Ceausescu, was put on trial then executed on TV while the entire country stopped to watch. I remember waking up that morning in our small New York apartment. My mother and I watch the news footage in amazement. There was joy but also fear of the unknown in the eyes of all Romanians. The new found freedom also brought instability, corruption and a sense of loss, for some. Hopefully 2007 will bring clarity along with positive changes to Romania. (Photo: Bucuresti taken in 1995)