Bucharest, Romania
Gypsy sorceresses are protesting the Romanian Audiovisual Board’s decision this week to ban television advertising of “occult practices,” the French daily Le Monde reported. Witches are frequent guests on Romanian talk shows and have long been political advisers. Communist-era dictator Nicolae Ceausescu often consulted with Mother Vermin, Romania’s most famous Gypsy witch, who predicted his violent death. But sorceresses have only recently begun advertising on TV in the manner of the Psychic Friends Network. Rodica, a daughter of Mother Vermin, is leading a lobbying effort to preserve this new capitalist right. “We have been hunted since the Inquisition,” Rodica said. “It’s because the popes envy our powers.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Political cartoons for January 18Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include cost of living, endless supply of greed, and more
-
Exploring ancient forests on three continentsThe Week Recommends Reconnecting with historic nature across the world
-
How oil tankers have been weaponisedThe Explainer The seizure of a Russian tanker in the Atlantic last week has drawn attention to the country’s clandestine shipping network
