Day of Remembrance on the anniversary of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact

In 2008, the European Parliament declared that 23 August, on the anniversary of the non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviets, commonly known as the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, would be observed as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian Regimes. To bring closer the history of those who were victimized by communism or nazizm, each year, is conducted a social campaign ,,Remember. August 23” by the European Network of Remembrance and Solidarity. This year’s edition recalls the life of Jann Kross (1920-2007), an Estonian writer.

It should also be noted that the Pact Ribbentrop-Molotov of 1939, on based of which Hitler and Stalin divided parts Europe, contributed to the outbreak of Second World War and its most tragic consequences, including the Holocaust and liquidation of the Polish state.

This year, due to the still high epidemic peril, one of the elements of the campaign: pinning, offering and sharing the symbolic sign of remembrance of the victims of totalitarian systems - a pin bearing the inscription "Remember. 23 August" has been transferred to the Internet and social media. The Central Museum of Prisoners-of-War, supporting the action, also added a commemorative frame to its Facebook profile picture.

We also invite you to watch a short film about the fate of the above-mentioned writer, Jaan Kross who was regarded as a symbol of defiance against totalitarianism and "the conscience of the Estonian people".

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