Romania and Communism

 Yesterday afternoon was spent at the National Museum of Bukovina, which is the area in northern Romania surrounding Suceava.  This museum was established in 1900 by area intellectuals and has been upgraded over the years by the local museum society and various donors. 

Entering the museum, we were met by real life statues of men wearing traditional dress from the countries they represented standing around the throne of their most beloved Romanian King.  The others are dignitaries from other countries who had allied relationships with Romania over the centuries.  

The museum was divided into various historical eras; the stone age, iron age, bronze age all the way through the modern age.  The boundaries of Romania continually changed over the past centuries as did the borders of all the surrounding countries.  Within her borders are Hungarians, Moldovians, Bulgarians, Germans and others from surrounding countries.  Empires who have conquered this land are the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Roman Empire and the Soviet Union.  The Soviet-Union actually came into the country to implement communism setting up the Socialist Republic of Romania following the second world war.  The communists reigned here in Romania from 1947 until 1989.  Before the wall came down in 1989, the communist government was already on its way out and the door opened to set up a democratic government.  

Due to the neglect of the socialist government during those decades, Romania has found herself economically and technologically behind.  She has a long way to go to get caught up with the rest of the high-tech and economically advanced neighbors that surround her.  Much has been done to improve the lives of the Romanian people since 1989, but much more needs to be done.  One way Romania is progressing is by preserving its history.  Like other European countries, the country wants to attract more tourists.  Tourism is on the rise and Romania has some of the most beautiful and most varieties of landscapes in Europe.  

We were also blessed to see an exhibition of paintings by the famous Romanian painter Nicolae Grigorescu (1838-1907).  He is considered the founder of modern Romanian art. Enjoy the pictures of the museum and the artwork of Grigorescu!

"Where's Pastor?!"

Luther Quote of the Day

"“I am much afraid that the universities will prove to be the great gates of hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in the hearts of youth."