20120117
20120116
Protests in Bucharest
Some hundreds of people protest in Bucharest at this very hour. Confrontations with the gendarmerie are taking place, and wounded people got to the hospitals.
Some of them protest against the Romanian government, (most) others protest against the crisis and because they feel the need to protest. I do not blame them - they have the legitimate right to do it. We are a democracy. But I question the succession of events.
The "official" reason of these protests was the new health act promoted by the government. However, this act was no more than a pretext: the government renounced a few days ago and most of the people protesting have absolutely no idea about the content of the law. They protest against the government, not against a health act they do not understand. My question is: does this protest solve anything ? Does anybody have better solutions for the present situation? Cui prodest ?
An observation: there is a lot of vandalism. These are the most violent protests in Bucharest, since 1991 (even if most of the people are not violent). Some of the protesters (a minority) look like they have protesting as a job (like: football galleries). I do not consider this protest as an exercise of freedom and democracy. So I take this post as a personal defeat: I have to write about things I do not want to write about.
Protesting comes with an unnatural feeling - a feeling I had, as a Romanian, back in 1989, 1990, 1991 or 1999. I wish you, my friends, that you never know how it is to go abroad and to be questioned by foreign friends what is happening to your country. It is a undeserved feeling of shame I hope you will be spared of.
Protesting comes with an unnatural feeling - a feeling I had, as a Romanian, back in 1989, 1990, 1991 or 1999. I wish you, my friends, that you never know how it is to go abroad and to be questioned by foreign friends what is happening to your country. It is a undeserved feeling of shame I hope you will be spared of.
On the other hand, I wanted to go in the centre tonight and take some pictures, but taking pictures is not allowed if you are not a journalist. I'm considering getting a press pass from now on.
What I want to say: it might be exaggerated, but I believe there are foreign forces interested in harming things around. My interpretation on these events is geopolitical and thus hazarduous, but this is it, I assume it. Most of the internal actors are, logically, overwhelmed by the outcoming of events. Personally, I see these events as nothing less than a deliberate attack on the Romanian economy. Most of the foreign companies active in Romania are based in Bucharest, the city generating a huge 20 % of the Romanian GDP. Their activity can be compromised by prolonged protests. And Romania will be considered as the likes of Hungary and Greece. Which - in my view - is definitely not the case.
Others seem to think otherwise.
PS: And by the way: if you live in Bucharest - avoid these areas. There is a lot of manipulation there. My advice : do not go to Piata Universitatii. Clever people know when their protest is needed, and this is not the case. Some people confiscate historical symbols of the city - like its center - for political purposes.
PPS: I am not pro- nor anti-government, this article is my exclusive and subjective view. I think a new political class is needed in Romania, but also new voters - people not willing to sell their vote for a few bucks. Our problem is not the political class. Our problem is this : most of ourselves, and the way we conceive politics, and the state.
PS: And by the way: if you live in Bucharest - avoid these areas. There is a lot of manipulation there. My advice : do not go to Piata Universitatii. Clever people know when their protest is needed, and this is not the case. Some people confiscate historical symbols of the city - like its center - for political purposes.
PPS: I am not pro- nor anti-government, this article is my exclusive and subjective view. I think a new political class is needed in Romania, but also new voters - people not willing to sell their vote for a few bucks. Our problem is not the political class. Our problem is this : most of ourselves, and the way we conceive politics, and the state.
20120102
Best wishes
As 2011 stays back and 2012 comes along, I am taking a few minutes and trying to think what should I wish you, my friends.
Many people around me are actually happy that 2011 is over and, somehow irationally, hope for the better in 2012. I don't know what to say - I am not a prophet, I cannot tell that 2012 will be better than 2011. But look: I have to go to work if the sun shines or even if it rains. We have to live our lives and fight for our lives, no matter that the years we cross are good or not so good - or even bad.
So I say : may your life be good in 2012, my friends. May each of us get the opportunity to struggle for a better life, this year. And may each of us use it.
With love,
20111225
season greatings
Merry Christmas, my friends.
I am not in my best mood, as you might have guessed, due to my prolonged absence. But I am OK, I am always here, and I wish you all the best and a happy celebration, together with those dear (and close) to you.
Merry Christmas (or Happy Hannukah, if you please).
With love,
I am not in my best mood, as you might have guessed, due to my prolonged absence. But I am OK, I am always here, and I wish you all the best and a happy celebration, together with those dear (and close) to you.
Merry Christmas (or Happy Hannukah, if you please).
With love,
20111215
Romania in photos
Ţara Loviştei.
Translated to 21st century geography, that is a place somewhere between Piteşti and Sibiu. You can get to actually see this sort of image, without much effort, if you only have the guts to go 15 minute outside the main roads.
Kindle your mind,
20111211
20111122
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
