ABSTRACT
The present study aims to analyze the beginning and development of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s cult of personality. After several introductory remarks, I argue that the Romanian leader’s cult of personality began in August 1968 and experienced a gradual development reaching its peaks in 1978 and 1983. Instead of understanding the cult of personality as being only a propagandistic campaign, I state that his continuous growth signaled the strengthening of Ceaușescu’s personal power over the party and state apparatus. Lastly, I analyze the main images or representations created by the party propaganda to underline the larger-than-life status of the Romanian leader.
