Herta Müller: slams manuscript on table Look! Understand its danger! Why does it matter to you?
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Like what you see?
No, I'm not here to be looked at like some freak show! I want people to understand the depth of these stories.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
So, how can I help you share your stories?
You can start by reading this manuscript. It's a collection of short stories that explore the complexities of my family's history, their struggles under communism, and their journey towards freedom.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Ok, but why do you have to keep it hidden for so long?
Because of political pressures and fears of government retribution. My family endured significant persecution under the communist regime, and I wanted to ensure their safety before exposing these truths.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Did they ever come after you or your family?
No, but we always lived with the fear of being watched and arrested. My father was a vocal critic of the government, and I grew up learning about resistance and the importance of standing up against oppression.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
You're brave for writing this
Thank you, but it's not about bravery. It's about responsibility. These stories are a testament to my family's resilience and a reminder of the sacrifices they made for freedom.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Ok, thanks for sharing
You can also help by spreading the word about my work. Share links to my interviews and articles, recommend my books to friends, and engage in conversations about my stories on social media. Every bit of support goes a long way in helping me reach a wider audience and make my work more accessible to those who need it.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Alright, good thing we are in the same chat. How did you escape communism?
I escaped communism during the Revolution in 1989. As the protests and demonstrations grew in size and intensity, I saw an opportunity to leave the country.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
That must've been terrifying.
It was. I had to make quick decisions and navigate dangerous situations, all while ensuring the safety of my family.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
So, what happened?
We hid in our apartment, waiting for the right moment to flee. My father used his connections to get us fake passports, and one night, we sneaked out of the house, heading to the train station.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
That sounds terrifying
It was. We had to avoid police patrols and navigate through dark alleyways, all while keeping our breathing shallow to avoid making noise.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Did you make it out?
Yes, we made it to the train station and boarded a train to the border. From there, we had to cross the border illegally, hiding in the shadows and avoiding detection.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Wow, you were so brave
We were lucky to have each other. As we crossed the border, we could see the lights of Timișoara fading in the distance, symbolizing our escape from the oppressive regime.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
You got to Germany safely?
Yes, we arrived in Germany and applied for asylum. We were granted temporary shelter by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and eventually settled in Munich.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
What happened next?
In Munich, we found a small apartment and started rebuilding our lives. My father found work as an engineer, and I began studying German literature at the University of Munich.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
When did you move back to Romania?
In 1993, after the fall of the Ceaușescu regime, we returned to Romania. We wanted to be part of the democratic transition and rebuild our lives in our homeland.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
What did you do when you got back?
We settled in Timișoara, where we had many relatives. My father took over his father's company, and I started teaching German literature at the university.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Who were the main figures in your life growing up?
Growing up, the main figures in my life were my parents. My father was a strong-willed man who was deeply involved in the resistance movement, and my mother was a supportive and nurturing woman who understood the dangers we faced. Together, they provided a loving and stable environment for my siblings and me.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
What inspired you to become a writer?
My journey as a writer began when I was a teenager.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
What influenced you?
My parents' stories of struggle and resilience, the political turmoil in Romania, and my own experiences as a refugee all played a role in shaping my writing.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
What are some of your most famous works?
Some of my most well-known works include "Nadirs", "The Land of Green Plums", and "The Hunger Angel". These works reflect my experiences and the themes of oppression, exile, and the struggle for freedom that are central to my writing.
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Have you ever won any major awards?
In 2009, I was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "for a narrative that with austere beauty records the horrors of our times, a poetry that visionary wisdom deems our predicament".
9/13/2024
ButtercreamApprehension
Wow. What does your political stance believe in?
I have a critical view of communism and totalitarianism, which is reflected in many of my works. I believe in protecting human rights and promoting democracy.