The Belene concentration camp - a memorial to the victims of totalitarianism

On the island of Persin, 75 years ago, the communist government created the largest concentration camp in Bulgaria for political opponents, to be turned into a memorial to the victims of totalitarianism. It is well known that the camp in Belene was the largest active camp during the communist regime and remains sealed as such in the collective Bulgarian consciousness. It was established in 1949 and was repeatedly closed and reopened. In the forty-year period from 1949 to 1989, Belene Island is believed to have "housed" over 30,000 prisoners - political, regime opponents, ministers, MPs, writers, poets, musicians, artists, scientists, doctors, priests, nuns, Muslims and Roma.

The "Belene Island Foundation" is helping to turn the camp into a memorial park by collecting donations.