Freedom is a Potato on a Stick

Canon EOS M50, EF-M15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, f/6.3 15mm iso 320 1/20

The Memorial of Rebirth in Bucharest was introduced to me as the “potato on a stick”. It’s meant to commemorate the victims of the Romanian revolution of 1989. I was humbled to stand in the same space that had so much significance in the founding of modern Romania, Nicolae Ceaușescu giving his last address from the balcony of the building in the background. I was not aware of that the first few times I walked by and was confused as to the significance of the sculpture. Many of the other sculptures and statues around town were more apparent in their form and or were just statues of people. I would come to learn that my confusion was shared, as well as criticism, by people in Bucharest since this was conceived and erected.

Just the ability to be critical of a public art piece openly show hows far Romania has come a ways from the repression that ended in ‘89. It may feel like a small thing, but it is something they should be proud of and protect.