May 29 Vitebsk activists landscaped burial of victims of Stalinism of the field near the village Palai of Vitebsk region. Here in 1930 the 50s there were executions of civilians.

A few years ago, near the village of Palai crosses were first established in the memory of the innocent victims. Several times crosses destroyed, but there were new. Now a memorial made with hands of activists, is a 5 wood and two iron cross. One of the crosses a height of about 6 meters with the words "victims of the totalitarian regime."

Locals know about the tragic events that took place in the forest in the first half of the last century. Members of the Belarusian Popular Front party collected their stories and appealed to local authorities to build up in these areas present a memorial complex. But in response to received only rejection.

And more than that, a few years ago, the chairman of the local village council Voronovskiy sued the then chairman of the regional branch of the BPF Kastus Smolikova. Activist awarded a penalty for "arbitrariness" and ordered to demolish the crosses, set here at the initiative of Vitebsk activists. Kastus Smolikau refused to do it, and crosses remain. They are clearly visible from the road leading from Vitebsk to Smolensk. And the improvement of homemade memorial has become a matter of local party members.

"Today we are here just to clean up garbage, grass, plant the flowers. But the time will come, and in these places is sure to be a monument. For the memory of the people who were shot here, have to be properly memorialized, "- says the chairman of the regional party organization Leanid Autuchou, who organized the current landscaping. 

Radio Liberty

Video: Vitebsk Spring & Dialogue