In the dense forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin, home to endangered species such as the sea eagle and pygmy cormorant, lies the grim remains of a communist-era concentration camp. Between 1949 and 1959, hundreds of individuals labeled as "enemies of the regime" died from abuse, hunger, and exhaustion in Bulgaria's Belene camp, where corpses were even used as pig feed. Despite being largely forgotten two decades after the collapse of communism, a small marble plaque is the only reminder of the camp's tragic history. With growing nostalgia for the past in Bulgaria and other former Soviet countries, the failures of capitalism in improving living conditions, enforcing the rule of law, and combating corruption and nepotism have led to a romanticization of a time when unemployment was low, food was affordable, and social safety nets were strong. Rumen Petkov, a 42-year-old former guard turned clerk at the only prison still operating on Persin island, mentioned that the negative aspects of the past have been overlooked. He noted that there is a sense of nostalgia, especially among the older residents, as he stood in front of the deteriorating buildings of a previous jail that was opened on the site after the camp closed in 1959. In the 1980s, the communists imprisoned many ethnic Turks here for refusing to change their names to Bulgarian. Some young people in the town of Belene, which is connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also look back fondly on the past. Anelia Beeva, 31, remarked, "We had a better quality of life in the past. We used to go on vacations to the coast and the mountains, and there was an abundance of clothing, shoes, and food." Currently, a large portion of our earnings is being used to purchase food, with many individuals with higher education degrees facing unemployment and choosing to move abroad. In Russia, a number of Soviet-themed restaurants have emerged in Moscow, hosting nostalgia events where individuals don pioneer attire and dance to communist music. Traditional Soviet products such as Champagne and chocolates from Red October are still popular for birthday parties, and "USSR" apparel is a common sight throughout the country during the summer months. While there is little desire for old regimes to be reinstated, analysts believe that apathy is a significant result. Bulgarian sociologist Vladimir Shopov stated that nostalgia can hinder progress by draining the motivation for meaningful change. Across former communist eastern Europe, there is a widespread disillusionment with democracy, and mistrust of the elites responsible for EU citizenship is high. A regional poll conducted by the U.S. Pew Research Center in September revealed a significant decline in support for democracy and capitalism in countries such as Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Hungary. For example, only 30 percent of Ukrainians approved of the transition to democracy in 2009, a sharp decline from 72 percent in 1991. In Bulgaria and Lithuania, the percentage of the population affected by the slide decreased from nearly three-quarters in 1991. Surveys conducted by the U.S.-based human rights group Freedom House indicate a regression or lack of progress in corruption, governance, independent media, and civil society in the new EU-member states. The global economic crisis has negatively impacted the region, challenging the neoliberal capitalism approach endorsed by the West. As a result, aspirations of catching up with wealthy Western neighbors have been replaced by feelings of injustice due to the widening wealth gap. In Hungary, where the economic downturn has been particularly severe, a survey conducted by pollster Szonda Ipsos in October revealed that 70 percent of adults who were already living in 1989 expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the regime change. People in the former Yugoslav countries, who suffered through ethnic wars in the 1990s and are still not part of the EU, are feeling nostalgic for the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito. During Tito's time, they were able to travel freely across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, expressed that life was better back then, with lower street crime rates, secure job opportunities, and salaries that allowed for a decent standard of living. Markovic now struggles to survive on her monthly pension of 250 euros ($370). In Bulgaria, some people are beginning to view the 33-year rule of the late dictator Todor Zhivkov as a golden era compared to the corruption and crime that followed his downfall. More than 60 percent of people believe that they had a better life in the past, despite facing shopping queues, relying on social connections for valuable goods, not having access to jeans or Coca Cola, and needing to wait up to 10 years to buy a car. Historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov noted that for some Bulgarians, security was more important than freedom. Bulgaria, which joined the EU three years ago, still has the lowest average monthly salary and pension in the EU. Even countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, have lower incomes compared to western Europe. A 2008 Gallup survey ranked Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania among the top 10 most unhappy countries in the world. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year-old student in Budapest, commented on how the older generation was content with what they had, in contrast to the current desire for more material possessions. Kis mentioned how communist regimes suppressed unemployment rates, and after years of difficult reforms, people are hesitant to make further sacrifices required for a complete overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has led to demoralization and a rise in support for political parties advocating for stricter measures. Former KGB agent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union as the most significant geopolitical disaster of the century. Critics of the Kremlin believe that there is a gradual rehabilitation of the Soviet Union happening in order to justify the government's restrictions on the media and opposition groups. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group has stated that there is a glorification of the Soviet era being promoted deliberately to make the Soviet regime appear appealing to the current generation. In Bulgaria, powerful individuals who dominate entire industries have emerged from the ranks of the former communist party and its feared secret services. The names of dishonest politicians and criminal leaders are well-known, yet Bulgaria has not prosecuted any high-ranking officials for corruption and has only imprisoned one crime boss since 1989. No one has faced consequences for the oppressive actions of the communist regime. Commonly used terms among Bulgarians include "dalavera," a Turkish term for fraud, "mutri," a derogatory term for unsightly mafiosi, and "mente," which refers to counterfeit goods. Many people are starting to doubt that success can be achieved through honest means. Boriana Dimitrova from Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research stated that success is seen as illegal, especially in the Balkans, the poorest area of Europe where powerful parallel structures are untouchable. Some people believe that the old regime, despite being repressive, at least maintained law and order. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of the center-right populist GERB party won a landslide election in Bulgaria in July by promising to end the culture of impunity. Analysts believe that only populist governments can thrive in the region due to public discontent and economic recession. Ivan Krastev of Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute stated that there is a high level of mistrust in the political elite and institutions, making it difficult to convince people to take action under unpopular governments. Some in Bulgaria criticize the West for accepting former communist officials into the new elite. Critics point to the election of Bulgarian Irina Bokova, a former communist apparatchik and ambassador to Paris, as head of UNESCO in September as an example of Western hypocrisy. Bokova's past in Moscow during communism helped her advance in her diplomatic career in the 1990s. Some eastern Europeans feel they have succeeded in adopting capitalist standards in the pursuit of materialism. During the boom years, many loans were used to purchase luxury items such as cars, yachts, designer clothes, and take exotic vacations. Western culture influence was so strong that even babies were given Western names and reality TV shows like "Big Brother" became popular. Renowned Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, living in Paris, expressed concern over the Americanization of Bulgaria, noting the prevalence of English language and American-themed businesses. He questioned why Bulgarian culture was being overshadowed by foreign influences. He observed that despite the new developments and material wealth, people's emotional well-being has deteriorated, leading to increased sadness and aggression. He recommended spiritual remedies to address this issue. This fall, tickets for performances at Sofia's theaters are in high demand, selling out weeks ahead of time, a phenomenon that hasn't been seen in many years.