Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

June 3 is a day of commemoration for the victims from Belene concentration camp

Over 20,000 people have been imprisoned at Belene in total

Photo: Belene municipality

The annual initiative commemorating the victims of the biggest concentration camp for the political opponents of the Bulgarian Communist Party in Bulgaria, is to take place at 12 noon today on the spot where the former concentration camp Belene stood on Persin island in the Danube in the times of the communist regime.

The event is organized by an action group of numerous NGOs and private individuals for the restoration of the annual commemoration, a tradition since 1990 mottoed: Together again to honour the memory of the victims of the Belene camp. The commemoration is being renewed after a 3-year break.

The concentration camp was opened in 1949 by the communist regime, and went by the name of “Second site”. To begin with, there were 300 prisoners but their number quickly grew to more than 2,000. Over 20,000 people have been imprisoned at Belene in total. Many of them lie buried in unmarked graves on Persin island.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Boyko Borissov

GERB says it will only hold negotiations with the participation of party leaders on the formation of a cabinet

“ There will only be negotiations among party leaders if they are for the formation of a ruling majority and a regular government,” GERB party declared at a briefing after a meeting of GERB’s executive commission, in regard to a possible meeting..

published on 11/25/24 1:05 PM

Homeless people in Ruse to receive a free hot meal

For the 13th consecutive year, homeless people in the town of Ruse will receive a free hot meal during the winter months. The social kitchen of the Bulgarian Red Cross opens its doors again in the biggest Bulgarian city on the Danube River. It has a..

published on 11/25/24 12:02 PM

Ministry of Transport proposes the division of railway routes into three lots

Experts from the Ministry of Transport and Communications are proposing the division of Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) into three lots. According to them, this is a first step toward a more efficient and modern railway transport system, reported..

published on 11/25/24 11:48 AM