A Childhood under the eye of the Secret Police (147)

Oct 31, 2020

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At 2 a.m. on 10 March 1983, 12-year-old Carmen Bugan was home alone after her father had left for Bucharest. That afternoon, Carmen returned from school to find secret police in her living room. Her father’s protest against the regime had changed her life forever. This is her story.

This is one of the most powerful stories I have recorded so far. What you will hear in Carmen’s own words is an incredibly emotional story about childhood, family, spirit and humanity – do stay and listen to the end. It's safe to say it's a hell of a story and an emotional one too...

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I am delighted to welcome Carmen Bugan to our Cold War conversation…

Carmen has also written Poetry and the Language of Oppression - Essays on Politics and Poetics, available here

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0:00 Introduction to the episode by Ian Sanders

4:31 Carmen Bugan's family background and school life in Romania

15:18 Life during the food shortages in Romania and Carmen's father's decision to protest

26:02 Maintaining a double life under an oppressive regime

34:50 The aftermath of Carmen's father protest and the family's ordeal

49:53 First visit to imprisoned father and the emotional encounter

1:03:35 The family's reunion with their father and living under house arrest

1:11:49 Discovery of secret police files and finding love amidst the chaos

1:19:53 Struggle after obtaining visas, saying goodbye to Romania and moving to America

1:27:41 Ian Sanders concludes the episode and thanks the financial supporters

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