Title: Behind the Concrete Walls, A Study of Nostalgia, Place Attachment and Gender in Socialist Housing

Author: Mihaela Constantinescu

Year: 2025

Abstract: Nostalgia, a concept rooted in longing for the past, carries unique connotations in the Romanian context, particularly tied to memories of communism under Nicolae Ceausescu’s rule. This study delves into the intersections of nostalgia, identity, and domestic spaces, framed by my experiences as a young woman raised in a socialist-era apartment block. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining ethnography, media analysis, and feminist and queer theory, the research explores the nostalgic resonance of socialist homes. By analysing cinematic portrayals, personal narratives, and gendered spaces, it aims to uncover what makes socialist housing nostalgic by examining how memory and place attachment shape contemporary understandings of Romania’s socialist and post-socialist legacy.