Victims of Bulgaria’s Belene Labour Camp commemorated on Danube Island
The annual memorial ceremony brought together former detainees, relatives of victims, diplomats, religious leaders, and citizens to honor those who suffered under the country’s communist regime.
The camp, established in 1949 and operating until 1987, was used to detain political prisoners and regime opponents. Historical estimates suggest that more than 15,000 people passed through the facility, with hundreds reportedly subjected to torture or killed during their imprisonment.
The commemorative event included prayers led by Orthodox, Catholic, Muslim, and Protestant clergy, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the victims. Participants also laid wreaths at the memorial site.
Among those attending was Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sofia Mehmet Sait Uyanık, along with embassy officials, including Communications Counselor Dilek Kütük, as well as survivors, victims’ families, and members of the public.
The event was organized by the “Hafza 1945–1989” Foundation, which researches Bulgaria’s communist period. Foundation founder and journalist Hristo Hristov said this year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Solidarity with Victims and Their Descendants” and announced a petition campaign aimed at preserving the original remains of the Belene camp as a historical site.
Ambassador Uyanık stated that Bulgarian Turks endured significant hardship during the communist era, particularly in efforts to preserve their identity, religion, language, and culture. He described Belene as one of the most concrete symbols of those violations, noting that many people were unlawfully imprisoned under harsh conditions.
He also emphasized the importance of transforming the site into a memorial museum that preserves its historical integrity while serving as a place of remembrance for all victims, regardless of ethnic or religious background.
Historian Plamen Pavlov, also present at the ceremony, called for the preservation of the site as a “memory and nature reserve,” criticizing its current state of neglect and noting that parts of the area remain in use for other purposes.
He stressed that thousands of lives were affected by the camp system and that preserving this historical memory is essential for future generations.
Belene was part of a broader network of more than 20 labour camps established under Bulgaria’s communist regime following World War II. Historical records indicate that tens of thousands of political prisoners were detained, with thousands executed or exiled during the period.
The memorial underscored ongoing efforts in Bulgaria and across Europe to confront the legacy of totalitarianism and preserve historical memory for future generations.
