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23 March 2017, 17:08

Opinion: Effort to spruce up Kuropaty should involve all concerned citizens

MINSK, 23 March (BelTA) – It is important that all concerned citizens, irrespective of their political and religious views, participate in the effort to spruce up Kuropaty, editor-in-chief of SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper Pavel Yakubovich told reporters on 22 March, BelTA has learned.

The roundtable in SB. Belarus Segodnya, which discussed the historical importance and status of Kuropaty, sparked a wide public response. Government officials, historians and experts spoke in favor of making Kuropaty a national site of memory and sorrow. The roundtable participants suggested establishing a monument there. The idea has already gained the support of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus which announced a clean-up event in Kuropaty on 25 March.

Pavel Yakubovich believes it is necessary to organize a number of activities to tidy up the site. “We need to bring together representatives of the government, the general public, concerned citizens. These can be representatives of different parties, movements, people of different faiths,” he noted.

For Belarusians, the Kuropaty tragedy stands are of the same importance as Khatyn and Trostenets. “It is not a place for political battles, but a national place of memory and sorrow,” Pavel Yakubovich said.

The decision on the place and the design of the memorial should be taken after a broad public discussion. It should involve as many people as possible, Pavel Yakubovich noted. He also suggested holding a large charity event to raise funds for the installation of the monument. Once the memorial in Kuropaty is unveiled, people whose families suffered in the repressions in the 1920s-1950s will be able to visit it and remember their loved ones. Foreigners will also be welcomed to visit the site.

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