Sudden Death Memorials in Bucharest: Distribution in Time and Space

Abstract

Only one year after the 1989 revolution, which ended the communist rule of Romania, Bucharest experienced a significant increase in the placement of memorials commemorating people who died unexpectedly. This study examines the unique set of circumstances which lead to the resurgence of this long-standing practice and the reclamation of the urban public space for placement of these memorials. A total of 290 sudden death memorials, representing 313 individuals, were identified in Bucharest between 2000 and 2018.

Keywords

• Bucharest
• evolution in space
• evolution in time
• public space
• religious practices
• roadside memorials
• sudden death memorials