In the lush forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin, where the endangered sea eagle and pygmy cormorant reside, lies the grim remnants of a communist-era prison camp. Between 1949 and 1959, hundreds of individuals labeled as "enemies of the regime" met their end from abuse, starvation, and fatigue at Bulgaria's Belene concentration camp, where corpses were even fed to animals. Despite two decades passing since the collapse of communism, Belene has largely slipped from memory, with only a small memorial plaque recounting its tragic history. Meanwhile, a sense of longing for the past is on the rise in the small Balkan nation and throughout the former Soviet states. The shortcomings of capitalism in raising living standards, enforcing the rule of law, and curbing rampant corruption and favoritism have led to a nostalgia for a time when unemployment was nonexistent, food was affordable, and social security was strong. Rumen Petkov, a former guard turned clerk at the only remaining prison on Persin island, stated that the negative aspects of the past have been forgotten. He mentioned that there is a sense of nostalgia, especially among the older population, as he stood in front of the deteriorating buildings of a former jail that was opened after the camp shut down in 1959. In the 1980s, the communist regime imprisoned many ethnic Turks on the island for refusing to change their names to Bulgarian. Some young residents of Belene, a town connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also reminisce about the past, with Anelia Beeva, 31, mentioning that life was better before with more access to holidays, clothes, shoes, and food. Currently, the largest portion of our earnings is being used for food expenses. Despite having university degrees, many individuals are without jobs and are choosing to move abroad. In Moscow, a number of Soviet-themed restaurants have emerged in recent times, hosting events where young individuals dress as pioneers and dance to communist music. Popular Soviet items like Champagne and Red October Chocolates are still commonly used for birthday parties. In the summer, "USSR" merchandise such as T-shirts and baseball caps are popular throughout the country. While there is little desire for the restoration of old regimes, analysts argue that apathy is a significant consequence. According to Bulgarian sociologist Vladimir Shopov, the negative impact of nostalgia is that it drains the motivation for meaningful change. Disillusionment with democracy is widespread in former communist eastern Europe, with polls showing a significant mistrust of the elites responsible for European Union citizenship. A recent regional poll by the US Pew Research Center indicated a decline in support for democracy and capitalism in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Hungary. For example, only 30 percent of Ukrainians approved of the shift to democracy in 2009, compared to 72 percent in 1991. In Bulgaria and Lithuania, the percentage of the population affected by the economic downturn decreased from almost three-quarters in 1991 to just over half. Surveys conducted by the US-based human rights group Freedom House indicate a regression or standstill in corruption, governance, independent media, and civil society in the new EU member states. The global economic crisis has negatively impacted the region, ending years of growth and challenging the effectiveness of neoliberal capitalism advocated by the West. As a result, aspirations of catching up with wealthier Western countries have been replaced by feelings of unfairness due to an increasing wealth gap. A recent survey in Hungary, one of the countries hit hardest by the economic decline, found that 70 percent of adults who lived through the regime change in 1989 were disappointed with the outcomes. People in the former Yugoslav countries are feeling nostalgic for the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito, when they were able to travel across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, reflects on how life was better back then, with no street crime, secure jobs, and salaries that allowed for a decent standard of living. In Bulgaria, some 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 have plagued the country since his downfall. More than 60 percent of people believe that they had a better life in the past, despite having to wait in shopping queues, rely on social connections for valuable goods, and face restrictions on products like jeans and Coca Cola. Historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov noted in a book that for some Bulgarians, security was more important than freedom. Even though Bulgaria has been a member of the EU for almost three years, the average monthly salary and pension are still the lowest in the union. In comparison, countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, also have lower incomes than those in western Europe. According to a 2008 survey by Gallup, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania were among the top 10 most unhappy countries in the world. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year old student in Budapest, mentioned that compared to our parents' generation, people these days always want more of everything. She highlighted how communist regimes artificially kept unemployment low, leading to greater satisfaction among the older generation. However, after two decades of difficult reforms, most people are now reluctant to make further sacrifices required for a complete overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has resulted in demoralization and increased support for political parties that promise strong leadership. Former KGB agent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union as the most significant geopolitical tragedy of the century. Critics of the Kremlin have accused the government of gradually glorifying the Soviet era in order to justify their restrictions on the press and political opposition. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group stated that there is a deliberate effort to portray the Soviet regime in a positive light to appeal to the current generation. In Bulgaria, powerful individuals known as oligarchs who dominate entire industries have risen from the ranks of the former communist party and its feared secret services. The names of corrupt politicians and crime leaders are widely known, yet Bulgaria has not sentenced any high-ranking officials for corruption since 1989, and only one mafia boss has been imprisoned. Not a single person has been held accountable for the atrocities committed during the communist era. Common terms among Bulgarians include "dalavera" for fraud, "mutri" for unsightly mafia members, and "mente" for counterfeit goods. Many people are losing faith in the possibility of achieving success through honest means. Boriana Dimitrova of Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research stated that success is completely criminalized, with a strong sense of injustice prevailing in Europe's poorest region, the Balkans. In this area, powerful parallel structures of authority operate without constraint. Some believe that while the old regime was repressive, it at least maintained law and order. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of Bulgaria's centre-right populist GERB party won a decisive election victory in July by promising to end the culture of impunity. Analysts suggest that due to public discontent and economic recession, only populist governments can thrive in the region. Ivan Krastev from Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute expressed that the widespread distrust in the political elite and institutions makes it difficult to persuade people to act under unpopular governments. Some in Bulgaria believe the West is being hypocritical by accepting former communists into positions of power. Critics point to the election of Irina Bokova, a former communist official and ambassador to Paris, as head of UNESCO as an example of this hypocrisy. Bokova's past in Moscow during communism helped her advance in her diplomatic career in the 1990s. Despite this, some in Eastern Europe feel they have successfully adopted capitalist values, particularly in their pursuit of material wealth. During the prosperous years, a significant portion of the loans obtained were used to purchase luxurious items such as cars, yachts, TVs, clothes, cosmetic surgeries, and vacations in foreign countries. The trend of adopting Western practices extended to naming babies and airing reality shows like "Big Brother" on television. Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, residing in Paris, expressed concerns about the Americanization of Bulgaria, noting the prevalence of English language and American-themed establishments. Manev questioned the need to abandon traditional Bulgarian names and cultural identity in favor of foreign influences. He observed that while there have been many new developments on the surface such as buildings, shops, and cars, people's overall mood has worsened, with increased aggression and unhappiness. To address this, he suggested turning to spiritual remedies. Additionally, for the first time in a long time, tickets for shows at Sofia's theaters are selling out weeks in advance this autumn.