New Year's Eve feasts were?You had to stand in a queue to buy all goods displayed on the table, but the greatest reward was that we could share them together, 20 people, friends and relatives crowded in a two-room flat.

Two children appeared on TV every New Year's Eve. One stood for the past year and the other for the year to come. I think they performed "The Plugusor" ("The Little Plough"). They were dressed in white and wore shepherd wool caps. These shows were a bit too pompous, the organization was too exaggerated. Otherwise they were interesting, maybe more interesting than the current ones. Probably because the TV program was very short. We watched the Bulgarian and Russian TV channel?(S.C., 5)

On the New Year' Eve we went to Casa Scinteii where "Youth New Year's Eve" was organized. We stood in a queue for a kilo of oranges that could not be found on the market. (I.I., 92)

NICU AND VALENTIN

The word spread that Nicu Ceasuescu had played the roulette in Monte Carlo and had bet the Mangalia herd of horses. He lost, and gave it away, it disappeared. There was also the rumor with the girls, and the affair with Nadia Comaneci, which put her in such a bad light? (C. M., 52)

I knew Valentin well. My brother was a national bridge champion for years and he was known abroad too. He now lives in France. It was my brother who introduced me to Valentin, and he was a really nice guy. He also played bridge, and made a team with my brother, they went along fine, and won a lot of games for three years on end.