Honoring the Victims of the Great Terror
Each year on August 5, Ukraine remembers the victims of the Great Terror of 1937–1938. On that date in 1937, the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) brought into force its resolution “On Anti-Soviet Elements,” the document that set Stalin’s mass political repression in motion. The crackdown cost hundreds of thousands of people their lives or freedom: many were executed, many were tortured, and many were sent to camps. This dark chapter in Soviet history left deep scars across Ukrainian society and remains a crucial part of the country’s painful memory.
Those who suffered included Ukrainians and people of many other nationalities — intellectuals, peasants, and workers alike. To preserve their memory, the VUE online encyclopedia provides resources on these tragic events, including the article “Bykivnia Graves.” Hashtags: #RemembranceDay #GreatTerror #Bykivnia #WeRemember #encyclopedia #VUE.
Why Memory Matters
The Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Great Terror is a significant part of Ukraine’s historical memory. It reminds us of the devastating consequences of political repression and underscores the need to protect human rights in today’s world. Commemorating this date also encourages reflection on freedom and justice as essential foundations of any democratic society.