Cabinet members paid respects at the Belene forced labor camp on Monday, marking the 77th anniversary of its establishment, according to the Environment Ministry’s press centre. Tributes were paid at the site known as the Second Site on Persin Island, an initiative led by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov and caretaker Environment Minister Julian Popov. The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev, caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski, 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, operating with interruptions until 1987. During the commemoration, attendees emphasized that preserving historical memory requires a concerted effort among institutions. They noted that efforts are currently underway to finalize the procedure for declaring the Belene camp an immovable cultural asset of national significance.
The objective is to ensure the site is preserved as a dedicated space for remembrance and education, integrating it within the natural environment of Persin Island. The participation of various government members underscored the commitment to acknowledging the history of the victims.
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It is important that these sites of history are never forgotten.
What specific memorial or commemoration efforts are planned for the site in the coming years?