Alex has a jigsaw puzzle that is a map of Europe. Being designed for three-year-olds, it includes cute, stereotypical cartoons for each country. Scotland has a kilted bagpiper, Spain has a flamenco dancer, and Romania has a…vampire.
As we were putting it together this evening, Alex explained to me:
“That’s a scary place. It’s got ouchy things that could make you dead.”
I’m sure the Romanian Tourist Office will be pleased that this message is getting across to toddlers.
You think Romania is portrayed in a scary fashion? Imagine what little icon might represent us Yanks on a European map of the world. (And not undeservedly, let me say before you jump all over me!) Hopefully, as of November 2, it won’t be a pathetic little shrub.
You may not know, but I am originally Romanian and I have always been outraged at how people see Romania, even if some of it it’s true due to the misfortune Romanian people faced in the last decades. We’re everything from vampires to gipsies. History was changed to satisfy tourists’ imagination and people like Bram Stroker sell a fantasy truth. Unfortunately I don’t think Romania will ever be portrayed differently because there are too many people taking advantage of it. But it’s a shame anyway.
HELP……….. MEEEEEEE.AND MY FAMILY OFCOURSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LISA XXX