K l i m ' s G r e a t E s c a p e

f r o m C o m m u n i s t R o m a n i a

t o T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s

I n t r o d u c t i o n

My middle name is Klim and my first name is Kalman. In Romania, I was known only by my Russian middle name Klim, while in America I am known only by my Hungarian/Jewish first name Kalman.

This is a true story of my great escape from Communist Romania at a time when leaving Romania was more than difficult, it was impossible! So for those not familiar with the political situation in Romania in the late sixties under the unscrupulous dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, we need to start with a small political background of Romania. Moving on, we continue with a little background of myself and of my efforts to legally leave Romania. The apparent insurmountable obstacles that I had to face during that period of time are revealed in chronological order.

1 9 6 9

The turning point came on Sunday April 6, 1969 --a day that triggered a frantic race against time. The next and my last six (6) days in Romania from Sunday April 6, 1969 to Saturday April 12, 1969, were critical with many traps awaiting me. After describing all this, we enter into the meat of the story -- the great escape! My first days in America and my first job in Chicago will also be part of this surreal story.

For your convenience, the Table of Contents (TOC) below identifies every part of the story with the corresponding page link. Thus, from this Table, which acts as your navigational center, you can access directly any part of the story. However, to truly enjoy this story, as in a mystery novel, you should not skip any of the parts. So, happy reading and, if your are ready to begin, simply click on the Continue button below.

Klim/Kalman in 2012 at 68
.In 2012 ... at 68! and here in 2014 ... at 70!, and ...in 2021 at 76! in here ... and at 78! in 2022 here .
...and at 79! in 2023 in here or another one in here

T a b l e O f C o n t e n t s ( T O C ) :

1. Romania in the Late 60s

2. Klim in Romania

3. The Elusive "Open" Window

4. The Beginning of the End

5. The Final Preparations

6. The Arrival in Belgrade

7. The Big Break

8. Reaching the Real Border

9. First Days in the Free World

10. Only to America!

11. The Pitfall

12. The Last Hurdles

13. The Big Day

14. Going My Way

15. The Job Interview

16. Chicago -My First Love!

Selected Links Ads How to Advertise Here Sponsorship Tops Fan Club

Posted on May 1, 2000
Big Communist Holiday and
K l i m ' s 5 6 t h B i r t h d a y !

webmaster: bratu klim

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T o p s o f t h e W e b

Site Recommended by the Romanian Newspaper
" F r e e R o m a n i a "

S p e c i a l F a m i l y L i n k s :

2001: Mom’s 85th Birthday in Bucharest, Romania

My Grandfathers' Gravestones
from Romania

2002: Mom’s 86th Birthday in Bucharest, Romania

Photos with Me from
My Mother's Last Journey
August 12, 2009.

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STOP Potin War Crime in Ukraine

S p e c i a l M e m o r i a l L i n k :

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An Ode to America
by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu,
Managing Editor of the Romanian newspaper "Evenimentul Zilei"

H o l o c a u s t M e m o r i a l S i t e :

Remembering Elfy
The beauty, the splendor, and the love of my life...
Elizabeth Ann Genewicz (Oct. 16, 1953-Aug. 29, 1984).
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