Documentary on Belene Camp survivors premieres in Sofia, spotlighting untold stories

A powerful new documentary shedding light on the untold stories of the last survivors of the Belene Labor Camp premiered in the Bulgarian capital, drawing high-level officials, diplomats, and members of the public.

Titled “Belene Camp’s Last Prisoners,” the film explores the experiences of detainees held in what is widely regarded as Europe’s last concentration camp during the communist era.

High-Profile Attendance
The premiere, held at a cinema in Sofia, was attended by senior figures including:

• Turkish Ambassador to Sofia Mehmet Sait Uyanık
• Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov
• Government ministers, lawmakers, filmmakers, and civil society representatives
• A Shared Memory Project

Producer Plamen Doynov, rector of the New Bulgarian University, described the documentary as a joint effort reflecting a shared historical memory between Bulgarians and Turks.

“This film represents a collective attempt by people who, despite borders, remain connected through a deeper understanding of their past,” he said.

Ambassador Uyanık emphasized the importance of confronting historical injustices, noting that the documentary offers firsthand testimonies of Bulgarian Turks who suffered persecution, oppression, and systemic abuse under the communist regime.

Complex Storytelling and Research
Director Dimitar Kotsev-Shosho revealed that while filming took just one week, preparation lasted over two years. The project brought together more than 40 personal stories, each with enough depth to stand alone.

Screenwriter Hristo Hristov highlighted the extensive research and interviews behind the film, stating that many Bulgarians remain unaware of the scale of suffering endured.

“The stories reveal hunger, humiliation, and hardship—but the greatest tragedy was what families endured outside the camp,” he said.

Calls for Accountability
Civil society representatives, including Aleksandar Kashymov, stressed the importance of transparency and justice, pointing to ongoing challenges in accessing official records related to the period.

Survivor Ahmet Alpay described the film as deeply emotional, saying it forced victims to relive painful memories. He also renewed calls for legal accountability, noting that survivors have pursued justice for more than three decades.

A Beginning, Not an End
Speakers at the event underlined that the documentary should serve as a starting point for broader public dialogue, historical reckoning, and institutional accountability.

The film is expected to contribute to ongoing debates about memory, justice, and minority rights in Bulgaria and across Europe.