Kurapaty

Kurapaty is a forested area in the northeast of Minsk, known as a site of mass burials of victims of Stalinist repressions in the late 1930s to early 1940s. Here, NKVD officers executed thousands of innocent people, most of whom were later rehabilitated. The number of victims remains a topic of debate, with estimates ranging from 7,000 to over 250,000 people. Initial investigations revealed 510 graves over an area of about 15 hectares. Kurapaty has become a symbol of the tragedy of political repression in Belarus. Since 1993, this site has been listed in the State Register of Historical and Cultural Values as a first-category object, highlighting its international significance. A memorial to the victims was established by the public in 1988, and since then, numerous memorial crosses and stones have been installed, along with a memorial with a bell and inscriptions in several languages. Kurapaty got its name from the white field flowers — "kuroslep" — that once grew here. The history of the area gained widespread attention after the publication of an article by Zenon Poznyak and Yevgeny Shmygalov in 1988, which included eyewitness testimonies of the executions. The publication caused a public outcry and led to a criminal investigation, although many archival documents remain sealed. The memorial has been visited by notable political figures, including U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1994. However, the site of remembrance has been repeatedly targeted by vandalism and political disputes. In recent years, actions to protect historical memory, as well as commemorative marches and prayers, particularly on All Souls' Day (Dzyady), have been held at the site of the mass burials. You can reach Kurapaty by buses and minibusses from the Zeleny Lug district or by car along the M3 highway.