Gulag museum closure signals Russia's struggle with history
As reported by the editorial team of "Novaya Gazeta," under the pretext of a fire safety inspection, the Gulag History Museum in Russia has been closed. According to a spokesperson for the European Commission, the decision only reinforced Russia's image as an oppressive state, unable to accept its past.
The European Commission's spokesperson, Peter Stano, commented on Friday in Brussels about the closure of the Gulag History Museum in Moscow, emphasising that this reflects Russia's selective approach to its past.
On Thursday, the independent newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" reported that the Moscow Gulag History Museum was temporarily closed for safety reasons related to inadequate fire safety measures. Inspectors argued that these oversights posed a threat to visitors.
Peter Stano pointed out that the decision to close the museum clearly illustrates the Russian authorities' attempts to erase uncomfortable elements of their history. The European Commission spokesperson emphasized that closing the museum has had the opposite effect, as it only strengthened Russia's image as an oppressive state unable to accept its past.
The Kremlin closes the Gulag History Museum
He added that the Kremlin currently employs methods reminiscent of the communist era. He explained that for the past two years, Russian authorities have been repressing anyone who dares to criticise the illegal war against Ukraine.
The Gulag History Museum, operating since 2001, is the only institution in Russia dedicated to communist crimes. The exhibition focuses on the repressions that the Soviet Russian authorities and the USSR carried out against their own citizens and conquered nations between 1918 and 1956.
This is another decision of this type by the Russian authorities. A similar significance was seen in the closure of the International Historical and Educational Charitable and Human Rights Society "Memorial." It researched information about the victims of Soviet repressions, including during the Stalinist period.
