Radu Gyr Romanian poet, essayist, playwright and journalist Date of Birth: 02.03.1905 Country: Romania

1. A Versatile Romanian Writer
2. A Promising Literary Career
3. Political Imprisonment
4. Cooperation with the Regime

A Versatile Romanian Writer

Radu Gyr was a prolific Romanian poet, essayist, playwright, and journalist. Born to actor Coco Dumitrescu in Craiova, he received his early education at the Carol I School. Gyr later pursued higher studies at the University of Bucharest, where he eventually earned a doctorate in literature and became a lecturer.

A Promising Literary Career

From a young age, Gyr's literary works received critical acclaim, garnering numerous awards. However, his life took a more controversial turn when he joined the fascist Iron Guard movement. Gyr became a commander within the organization and served as General Manager of Romanian Theaters during the National Legionary Government (1940-1941). This period marked the establishment of the Barashenum Jewish Theater (later known as the State Jewish Theater), although its operation was short-lived due to Ion Antonescu's suppression of the Iron Guard uprising.

Political Imprisonment

Gyr's political affiliations led to several periods of imprisonment. In the aftermath of the Iron Guard rebellion, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. However, he was later released and sent to fight on the Eastern Front. In 1958, Gyr was arrested again by the communist regime of Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and sentenced to death for his poem "Rise Up, George, Rise Up, John!" which incited resistance against communist collectivization. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, but Gyr was eventually released a few years later.

Cooperation with the Regime

Following his release in 1963, Gyr came under the surveillance of the Romanian secret police, Securitate. He collaborated with the regime and published in newspapers such as "Glasul Patriei" and "Tribuna României," which targeted the Romanian diaspora.