Nicolae Ceaușescu's rise to power in 1965 marked the beginning of a new phase in Romania's communist dictatorship. The personality cult surrounding Ceaușescu, state propaganda, and political control defined this period, alongside industrialisation, urban development, and major social changes.
The exhibition also brings everyday life during these decades into focus. The Dacia car on display represents both the Romanian automotive industry and the idea of socialist “prosperity”, while the simulator dedicated to the earthquake of 4 March 1977 recalls one of the most devastating natural disasters of the period. Other themes include work, education, family life, shortages of consumer goods, and the increasingly difficult living conditions of the 1980s.
Against the backdrop of ideological oppression that permeated every aspect of life, the exhibition explores different forms of adaptation and resistance. The historical journey continues with the events of December 1989 and the social transformations that followed the fall of the dictatorship, inviting visitors to reflect on the importance of freedom and democratic rights.
