On October 29, in Vilnius, the event “Return of the Names” took place. We read the names of people who perished as a result of Soviet state terror!
The commemorative action “Return of the Names” in memory of the victims of Soviet repressions was first held in 2007 at the Solovetsky Stone in Moscow on the initiative of International Memorial. Over time, it spread to different cities of Russia and the world. Hundreds of people stood in line and, taking turns, read aloud the names of those executed or exiled by Soviet authorities, as well as those who resisted Soviet repressions.
For the fourth time already, “Return of the Names” is taking place in the context of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Ukraine is defending not only its independence but also a system of values that is absolutely essential for us — centered on freedom, human rights, and the necessity of resisting state terror.
Since the beginning of the war, the mournful lists have been replenished with the names of Ukrainian civilians killed, Ukrainians captured and held in Russian prisons, and Russian political prisoners.
In 2025, the event hold underground in Russia and openly in many other countries around the world. With this action, we want to express solidarity with Ukraine fighting for its freedom, with those resisting dictatorships in Belarus and Russia, and to reaffirm our commitment to the values of freedom, resistance to terror and tyranny, the protection of human rights, and the preservation of memory about repressions.