On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of its establishment, cabinet members paid tributes at the former Belene forced labour camp site. The Environment Ministry’s press centre reported that wreaths and flowers were laid at the location on Monday. The commemorative ceremony was organized by the caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, Andrey Yankulov, and the caretaker Environment Minister, Julian Popov.
Attendees included the caretaker Interior Minister, Emil Dechev, and the caretaker Finance Minister, Georgi Klisurski, alongside Chef de Cabinet Rumiana Bachvarova, representatives from the regional administration in Pleven, and the leadership of Belene Municipality. The Belene camp, which opened on April 27, 1949, served as the largest and longest-operating facility for interning opponents of the communist regime in Bulgaria, remaining active with interruptions until 1987. During the event, participants stressed that preserving the memory of the victims requires a concerted effort across various institutions.
Furthermore, attendees noted that efforts are currently underway to finalize the procedure for declaring the Belene camp an immovable cultural asset of national significance. This designation aims to ensure the site is preserved as a dedicated space for education and remembrance, while also integrating it responsibly within the natural environment of Persin Island.
Topics: #minister #caretaker #members
