Revolution
Caramitru entered political life as an opponent of the communist regime in the Romanian Revolution of 1989. On December 22, 1989, after President Nicolae Ceauşescu had fled Bucharest, Caramitru and the known dissident writer Mircea Dinescu joined the crowd occupying the Romanian Television building, and were prominent among the numerous speakers who were proclaiming revolutionary victory.
A popular rumor circulating soon after the episode alleged that, unaware of being filmed, Caramitru had addressed Dinescu, saying, "Mircea, fă-te că lucrezi!" ("Mircea, pretend you are working!"); this version of events may have started as defamation by political adversaries, with the purpose of indicating that the Revolution was a carefully staged front for a coup d'état. According to Alex Mihai Stoenescu's research, despite its passing into contemporary folklore, such a phrase was never uttered; instead, the words used were "Mircea, arăţi că lucrezi" ("Mircea, show that you are working on something" — while holding Dinescu's booklet in front of camera), to which Dinescu replied "La un apel" (" on an appeal ") — pointing rather to their ill-preparedness and their preoccupation in quickly drafting a proper document.
Read more about this topic: Ion Caramitru, Biography, Political Career
Famous quotes containing the word revolution:
“If the tax-gatherer, or any other public officer, asks me, as one has done, “But what shall I do?” my answer is, “If you really wish to do anything, resign your office.” When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“The Husband of To-Day ever considers his wife but as a portion of his my-ship.
Nominative I.
Possessive My, or Mine.
Objective Me.
This is the grammar known to the Husband of To-Day.”
—Anonymous, U.S. women’s magazine contributor. The Revolution (June 24, 1869)
“A revolution does not last more than fifteen years, the period which coincides with the flourishing of a generation.”
—José Ortega Y Gasset (1883–1955)