Russian Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Political Repressions – 30th of October

October 30th is commemorated as the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions.

Established in 1991 by the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation, it honors those imprisoned for political reasons during the Soviet era. 

This official day of remembrance replaces the unofficial “Day of Political Prisoners”, which had been observed by political prisoners themselves since 1974. 

On the preceding day (October 29th), the Memorial Society traditionally holds a ceremony called “Returning of Names”. During this event, participants read aloud the names of those people executed during Stalin's Great Terror.

Since 2020, though, Moscow has refused to grant a permit for the demonstration.