The “recalcitrant” group

And yet! Despite the zeal of Colonel Crăciun and his conscientious objectors, despite all the diabolical methods they devised to break the resistance of a people driven to the brink, Aiud did not only experience collapses in these times of emergency, but also ascents, real peaks of resistance and dignity.

It is enough to recall the exemplary behaviour of two figures who are considered symbols of strength of character and human dignity: Professor George Manu, who preferred to die rather than make the slightest compromise, and Prince Alexandru Ghica, who with aristocratic stoicism resisted all the sometimes furious attempts of Colonel Crăciun to bring him to his knees, to show that in this clash with the forces of evil, human dignity was saved. But they were not alone. But they were the most prominent figures in the resistance to this murderous action, a resistance represented by an impressive number of people from all walks of life. Throughout the period of re-education, the Zarca, and not only the Zarca, but also some specially created sections in the Cellular, were full of so-called recalcitrants, on whom bestial physical and moral pressure was exerted in order to make them give in.

Apart from those who were isolated and closely monitored, others, chosen at random or according to criteria that I have never understood, were scattered among those who had already been re-educated in the factory or in the so-called clubs that operated in the prison itself, in order to be “contaminated”.

As in the case of the fallings, the resistance was not the same. Some resisted heroically, ostentatiously, defying and confronting their oppressors, seeking, as it were, to maintain a permanent adversarial relationship between themselves and their oppressors, creating the mental tension that would sustain and strengthen their obstinacy. Others resisted discreetly, with a kind of Christian humility, trying to explain to the re-educators why they did not have the spiritual capacity to do what was required of them. Finally, a third category were the mystics.

These, aware that the struggle in which they too were engaged transcended the mundane, gave themselves in spirit, resisted with serenity, without murmuring, accepting suffering as a duty of life. Those in the first two categories resisted in the hope of eternal salvation, while those in the last category resisted in order to save themselves in eternity. Professor George Manu and Prince Alexandru Ghica belonged to the latter category.

(Demostene Andronescu – Re-education in Aiud)