Returning the Names
On October 29, every year people across the world gather to remember those who were exiled, imprisoned, or executed under the Soviet regime. Since 2007, Returning the Names has been held every year - a living act of memory in which we read aloud the names of the victims of state terror.
Russian Seattle for Freedom organizes this event locally since 2023. We also heavily contributed to creation of the service to distribute victim’s names to all organizers around the globe.
We invite you to join this year, too. Watch for upcoming announcement on our Facebook page.
Year 2025
We gathered on Red Square at Navalny Memorial Bench.
After paying tribute to victims of the Great Purge we moved to a library. There we wrote mails and postcards to modern prisoners of conscience.
Our readout became a part of twelve hour marathon of the international event
Special credits to Prof. Glennys Young, Department of History, UW for supporting our event.
Year 2024
Despite heavy rain, about 25 people gathered at the Peace Pole near the Space Needle. Our event was covered by Voice of America in English and Russian languages. The reported also included our stories into a broader article on repressions. Our video became a part of the twelve hour long broadcast.
After, we all met at a cafe and wrote postcards to modern political prisoners.
