Interviu inedit - Elena ZELEA-CODREANU

Summary

The transcript recounts the speaker's personal connection with Codreanu and their experiences visiting him during his imprisonment at Văcărești. The speaker describes how they brought food and provisions to Codreanu and other inmates, and the close relationships formed during these visits. The narrative also reveals a key moment when Codreanu and his followers tried to identify a traitor among them, leading to a confrontation involving Vernescu, who was later identified as the betrayer. The speaker touches upon Vernescu's religious practices and connection to the Orthodox faith.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their attempts to visit someone at Văcărești and mentions the lack of visiting restrictions there, contrasting it with a place in Hush where visits were not allowed.
• 😀 The speaker stayed with their cousins in Bucharest, which allowed them to visit frequently and bring food and supplies to someone they were supporting at Văcărești.
• 😀 The bond between the speaker and the person at Văcărești strengthened as they spent time together, indicating an emotional connection based on mutual support during difficult times.
• 😀 The speaker met several individuals imprisoned with the person they were visiting, including Moța, and became aware of the group's struggles to identify a traitor among them.
• 😀 Corneliu, likely a leader figure, orchestrated an effort to expose the traitor within their group, gathering supplies and organizing a communal meal with the hope of revealing the betrayer.
• 😀 During the communal meal, everyone raised their glasses, symbolizing their collective desire to uncover the traitor, but one individual, Vernescu, failed to participate in this ritual, which marked him as suspicious.
• 😀 Vernescu was identified as the traitor after he hesitated to raise his glass, with the group concluding that he had betrayed them.
• 😀 Vernescu was described as a fervent religious practitioner with a strong Orthodox Christian background, which contrasted with his actions of betrayal.
• 😀 The speaker describes Vernescu’s character as deeply religious, often praying in solitude, and regularly visiting the graves of Moța and Marin, suggesting a complicated and conflicting character.
• 😀 The transcript highlights the tension between faith and betrayal, with the speaker’s focus on the moral and spiritual struggles of individuals involved in a political or revolutionary context.

Q & A

What was the speaker's relationship with Codreanu?

The speaker appears to have had a close relationship with Codreanu, having visited him regularly during his imprisonment at Văcărești. This relationship was strengthened through frequent interactions and support, including bringing food and supplies.

Why was the speaker able to visit Codreanu frequently at Văcărești?

The speaker was able to visit Codreanu frequently because there were no restrictions on visits at Văcărești at the time. Visitors could bring food and visit almost daily, which allowed the speaker to maintain close contact with Codreanu.

Who were the 'boys' mentioned in the transcript, and what was their role?

The 'boys' referred to in the transcript were likely fellow prisoners or followers of Codreanu. The speaker mentions having met all of them and becoming familiar with their struggles, especially their concern about discovering a possible traitor within their group.

What event took place involving a communal meal and a raised glass?

The prisoners held a communal meal during which they raised a glass in hope of discovering the identity of the traitor among them. The event was significant because one of the individuals, Vernescu, failed to raise his glass, leading the others to suspect him as the traitor.

Why was Vernescu suspected of being a traitor?

Vernescu was suspected of being a traitor because he was unable to raise his glass during the communal meal, which was intended to reveal the betrayer. The group believed that anyone who truly supported them would have participated in the toast, and Vernescu's failure to do so marked him as suspicious.

What was Vernescu's religious background?

Vernescu was from a devout Christian background. His father was a fervent practitioner, and Vernescu himself had a strong religious character, praying in solitude. However, over time, he seemed to lean more toward an Orthodox Christian path, showing deep personal devotion, including prayers at the grave of a figure named Moța.

What is the significance of 'Casa Verde morții' mentioned in the transcript?

'Casa Verde morții' (The Green House of the Dead) appears to be a place of significance in the speaker's narrative. It is mentioned in relation to Vernescu's religious practices, suggesting that he had a personal ritual of visiting this location, likely a grave site, as part of his spiritual observance.

Who is Moța, and why is he mentioned in the context of Vernescu's prayers?

Moța was a person of importance in the context of Vernescu's religious practices. After Moța's burial in 1937, Vernescu made it a point to visit the grave and offer prayers there. This shows a deep religious devotion and a personal connection to Moța, which was central to Vernescu's spiritual life.

How did Vernescu’s character evolve over time?

Vernescu’s character seems to have evolved from being a fervent Christian, with his father influencing his devout nature, toward a more isolated, introspective figure. He became more Orthodox in his beliefs and practices, as evidenced by his solitary prayers and visits to the grave of Moța.

What is the importance of the idea of 'the traitor' in the transcript?

The theme of betrayal is central to the transcript. The prisoners, including Codreanu, were intensely concerned with the idea of a traitor within their ranks, as they believed that such a betrayal would jeopardize their cause. The discovery of the traitor became a key point of tension, especially highlighted during the communal meal where Vernescu was suspected.