People
in Krasnoyarsk commemorated the Day in commemoration of the victims of political
repressions. About 300 people had come to remember those who endured serious
distress during the years of the Great Terror – and they all brought along
photos showing their family members and loved ones. “The idea about old pictures
arose under the influence of the „Immortal Regiments“ (Victory Day parades which
mark the victory over Nazi Germany in WWII. March of the “Immortal Regiment” to
honor the veterans of the war.; translator’s note), - said the chairman of the
regional „Memorial“ organization Aleksei Babiy. – “For the repressions do not
just represents figures, but living people. And it is our duty to remember each
of them“.
The deputy head of the department of public relations of the Governor’s Administration of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Rashit Rafikov, visited the event, as well. He told the story to his family, some members of which had also suffered during the years of political repressions without being guilty at all, and called on the people to not forget the names of their relatives, who were forced to go through iniquitous, abominable physical and even more mental cruelty. „This is a very mournful day – a day full of anguish and blood, a day which makes our hearts sink, when we recall all the severe losses, - said Rashit Rafikov. – But we have to commemorate this anguish, we have to pass our knowledge on this to our descendants in order that such a tragedy will never recur“.
During the meeting the organizers addressed themselves to the gathered people with the proposal to support the project „Last Address“ initialized by the journalist and editor Sergei Parchomenko in 2014. The project aims at the immortalization of commemoration of people, who were encountered political repressions during the years of the Soviet regime. His principle is – one name, one life, one memorial tablet. In commemoration of the victim a small memorial tablet will be fixed at the wall of the house which was the last physical address in his lifetime. The tablet will show the name and learned occupation, the dates of his birth, arrest, death and rehabilitation. The action group „Last Address“ is working with the support of the International Human Rights Organization „Memorial“ and their activists. Dozens of such memorial tablets have already been placed in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, Barnaul, Voronesh, Irkutsk, Kirov, Kostroma und other cities in Russia.
„Working on the project „Last Address“ proves to be difficult, - said the chairwoman of the organizers of the Day in Commemoration of the victims of political repressions - Maria Lagutenko. – I sincerely hope that among the people of Krasnoyarsk can be found such individuals, such citizens’ initiatives who are prepared to give their support. Their action will result in the fixing of many thousands of little memorial tablets at the faces of buildings. This is how we would like to commemorate our ancestors“.
„City News“, 05.11.2015