I Must Betray You(70)

Communism in Romania did not end with the death of the Ceau?escus. After the execution, a replacement set of communists took over, and for many years, some of the preexisting networks remained supported. Some began to question the legitimacy of the revolution. As such, there was no clear or satisfying “ending” to the period. Things were confusing, questions remained—and still remain. I’ve tried to reflect that in the epilogue. As a reader, unanswered questions and sadness may feel frustrating, but it’s difficult to grasp how frustrating it must feel for those who actually experienced the events.

Unlike other countries who opened their secret police files for review and a path to atonement, Romania’s Securitate files remained closed for over fifteen years. It’s alleged that during that time, some files were altered or destroyed. Historical lustration—the process of clarifying—is ongoing in Romania.

To further complicate matters, while innocent Romanian citizens grappled with the consequences of the revolution, they unfairly inherited responsibility for the dysfunction caused by the communist leaders. In the early ’90s, reports of orphanages and poverty distilled a partial narrative about the country and the time period. But without the context of Ceau?escu’s fertility tyranny and the ongoing battle with communism, the outside world wasn’t privy to the full story.

Also underrepresented is the experience of Romania’s Jewish population. At one time Romania had nearly seven hundred thousand Jewish residents. In 1989 only twenty-three thousand remained. Ceau?escu demanded a per-head payment for Jewish inhabitants to be relocated to Germany, Israel, or other countries. In a nation of nearly twenty million people, Romania’s Jewish population today is approximated at only three thousand.



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Ceau?escu betrayed his own country and countless other countries. His particular brand of national communism and his use of the Securitate caused trauma and plural identity, at times forcing Romanians to betray even themselves. In addition, by isolating the country and its people, Ceau?escu robbed the world of access to Romanian culture and history. Recent studies have shown that some believe Transylvania to be a fictional place and are unaware that it’s a beautiful, historic region in Romania.

I hope that through reading I Must Betray You, readers might be inspired to research the histories of the captive nations, the fall of communism in Europe, and, most relevant to this story, the incredible fortitude and endurance of the Romanian people. Romania joined the European Union in 2007 and continues to make progress. How can we assist that progress?

We can share their story.

History is the gateway to our collective story and the story of humanity. Historical fiction allows us to explore underrepresented stories and illuminate countries on the map. But as an author, I have nothing without readers. Thank you for reading this novel. Please share the history with someone. As I acknowledge in the “Research and Sources” section, there were true witnesses who greatly informed my research but for various reasons requested to remain anonymous. With an adequate buffer of time, perhaps one day we can look upon events with a wide lens of reflection and create a compassionate environment for people to take ownership of their own story.

And finally, to the students and young readers: You are the stewards of history who will carry our fading stories into the future. I am so honored to work with you and I am so honored to write for you. Please remember that when adversity is drawn out of the shadows and recognized, we ensure that human beings living under oppression—past and present—know they are not forgotten.

Together, we can shine a light in dark corners of the past.

Together, we can give history a voice.

Ruta Sepetys





RESEARCH AND SOURCES




The research process for this novel was a global, collaborative effort that spanned many years. That said, any errors found herein are my own.

My Romanian publisher, Epica Publishing House, connected me with people, places, and experiences to bring this story to life. I am forever grateful to Anca Eftime Penescu, Dan Penescu, and Dana Popescu. Anca and Dan spent years working with me on this project. Together with my interpreter, Dana Popescu, they accompanied me throughout many regions of Romania during my research and endured many long days of travel. They all read drafts and answered endless questions. This novel would be impossible without the three of them!

I am extremely indebted to Stejarel N. Olaru. Stejarel is a Romanian historian, political scientist, and bestselling author based in Bucharest. Stejarel is also an expert on the history of intelligence services. He generously informed my research on the Securitate as well as Ceau?escu’s particular brand of communism. Stejarel helped guide my research, arranged many interviews, and introduced me to historian Claudiu Seca?iu, former president of National Council for the Study of Securitate Archives (CNSAS). Stejarel answered my many historical questions about the structure and function of the Securitate and its effects on the population, and also acquainted me with the current Securitate archives.

Nicoleta Giurcanu was fourteen at the time of the revolution. On December 21st, she was arrested with her father and little brother and endured the horrors at Station 14, Jilava, and the juvenile facility on Aaron Florian. Nicoleta bravely and generously shared her history with me and spared no detail. She is an ambassador for the unsung heroes of December 21st. Her story, her humanity, and her continued quest for truth and freedom inspire me beyond description and helped shape the scenes of the revolution and the spirit of the young people in the novel.