Censorship Thwarted by Signs and Symbols: A Semiotic Analysis of Romanian Theatre—1970-1980

Authors

  • Diana Păcurar I.L. Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest, Romania Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37130/49jgsk54

Keywords:

TabThePAST Project, semiotics, totalitarianism, Romanian theatre, censorship, cultural resistance

Abstract

This article delves into the clandestine world of Romanian theatre during the repressive era of communist rule in the 1970s and 1980s. Faced with stringent censorship laws, theatre practitioners turned to semiotics as a covert means of conveying dissent. Through symbols, metaphors, and allegories, performances were imbued with hidden meanings that resonated with audiences, offering subtle critiques of the regime. Drawing on case studies from various totalitarian regimes, the article examines the profound impact of political oppression on semiotic development and resistance. Despite the pervasive control over academic content and cultural expression, Romanian semioticians persevered, contributing to the field’s growth and innovation. The article highlights the enduring power of art as a vehicle for resistance and social commentary, even in the face of oppressive political regimes.

Author Biography

  • Diana Păcurar, I.L. Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film, Bucharest, Romania

    Diana Păcurar is Lecturer PhD, at the Theatre Directing Department of the I.L. Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, where she also serves as Vice-Rector for International Relations and Image. She holds a PhD in Theatre Studies with a thesis entitled Theatrical Performance as a Semiotic System, reflecting her ongoing research interest in theatrical semiotics, directing, and cultural diplomacy. Her academic and artistic activity combines teaching, research, and creative practice, with a focus on the relationship between performance and meaning, cross-cultural collaboration, and the role of theatre as a medium of critical thought and social dialogue. She has coordinated international artistic and academic projects within European frameworks. Her recent work explores the semiotic reading of performance in politically constrained contexts and the function of cultural institutions in fostering intercultural dialogue.

References

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Performance References:

Duminica oamenii n-au porecle (1989) Teatrul Tineretului, Piatra Neamț.

Iona (1969) Directed by Dan Puican [Theatre Performance]. Teatrul Mic, Bucureşti.

Jolly Joker (1980s) Directed by Alexandru Darie [Teatrul “Regina Maria”, Oradea].

Moara de pulbere (1989) Directed by Ioan Ieremia [Theatre Performance]. Teatrul Național Iași.

O scrisoare pierdută by I.L. Caragiale (Various productions, 1970s–1980s).

Zece hohote de râs (1987) Directed by Alexandru Darie [Theatre Performance]. Teatrul de Stat, Oradea.

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Published

2025-12-26

Issue

Vol. 31 No. 2 (2025): Puppetry. Histories that shaped us / TabThePasT / Film and Theatre Pedagogy

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Păcurar, D. (2025). Censorship Thwarted by Signs and Symbols: A Semiotic Analysis of Romanian Theatre—1970-1980. CONCEPT, 31(2), 166-176. https://doi.org/10.37130/49jgsk54