Motivation
Over 30 years after the 1989 Revolution, Bucharest deserves a flexible cultural center, created by the youth of the 80's for today's young people, in order to become, in time, a symbol of the Capital. A multipurpose space, centered around a permanent exhibition on "everyday life under communism", augmented with cultural and educational activities such as experiential and non-formal civic education workshops.
We started this project because we were born and raised in the 80's. We're revisiting the experience to turn it into a slice of reality for those who have only heard about communism from stories.
Goals
It's an 80s apartment, because we can't really call it anything else. It's not just communist or Ceausescu-related, but also realistic - that is, inspired by the realities of many of those who lived in the 1980s. In addition, we like to believe that it is not a museum, but rather an experience incubator, which will help you reach, by the end, your own version of truth about communism.
We wanted to give you the chance to look at an ordinary day through the eyes of a someone from then, to touch clothes, tech and board games from communism, to open closets and pantries, to read books and newspapers, to listen to Ceaușescu speeches and to interact with the past. In the end, answer the question yourself: what was it like, in reality?
It is an interactive educational experience that will help young people better understand the rights and freedoms of citizens under communism. Specifically, a 2-hour trip in the ‘80s, built around dedicated tasks for high school students, which must be solved as a team, using only the information, technology and resources of that time.
Financing
Calendar
Launched in February 2019, in the company of President Klaus Iohannis, 80east enjoyed good exposure and support, gathering 2.000 visitors.
Alongside regular visits by students, the space was host to exhibitions, trainings and debates.
In March 2020, the pandemic forced us to give up the space where the project took place and put it the whole thing in hibernation, along with all the objects collected. Since then, we have been looking for ways to relaunch this educational experience about the recent history of Romanians.
Are you aware of an opportunity? Write us!
