In the dense forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin, where endangered species like the sea eagle and pygmy cormorant reside, lies the grim remains of a communist-era death camp in Belene, Bulgaria. From 1949 to 1959, hundreds of individuals deemed "enemies of the regime" died from abuse, starvation, and exhaustion in this camp, where corpses were even fed to pigs. Despite the passage of two decades since the fall of communism, the Belene concentration camp has largely been forgotten, with only a small marble plaque recounting its chilling history. There is a growing sense of nostalgia for the past in Bulgaria and other former Soviet countries, as the failures of capitalism to improve living standards, establish the rule of law, and combat corruption and nepotism have led to a longing for a time when unemployment was low, food was affordable, and social security was strong. Rumen Petkov, a 42-year-old former guard turned clerk at the only remaining prison on Persin island, mentioned that the negative aspects of the past have been forgotten. He noted that there is a sense of nostalgia, especially among the elderly, as he stood in front of the deteriorating buildings of an old jail that was opened on the site after the closure of the camp in 1959. During the 1980s, the communists imprisoned numerous ethnic Turks here for refusing to change their names to Bulgarian. Some young residents of the town of Belene, connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also recall a time when they believe they had a better quality of life. Anelia Beeva, 31, expressed this sentiment by saying, "We lived better in the past," citing access to vacations at the coast and mountains, as well as an abundance of clothing, shoes, and food. Currently, a significant portion of our earnings is being used for food expenses. Many individuals with higher education degrees are unable to find employment and are choosing to work abroad. In Russia, there has been a trend of Soviet-themed restaurants opening in Moscow, with some hosting nostalgia nights where youths dress up as pioneers and dance to communist music. Traditional Soviet Champagne and Red October Chocolates are still popular choices for birthday parties. "USSR" merchandise like t-shirts and baseball caps are commonly seen throughout the country during the summer months. While there is little enthusiasm for the restoration of old regimes, analysts argue that apathy is a significant consequence. Bulgarian sociologist Vladimir Shopov highlighted in an online publication that nostalgia can hinder the drive for meaningful change. Disillusionment with democracy is prevalent across former communist eastern Europe, with polls indicating a high level of distrust towards the elites responsible for their EU citizenship. A recent poll by the U.S. Pew Research Center revealed a significant decline in support for democracy and capitalism in countries such as Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Hungary. For example, approval of democracy in Ukraine dropped from 72 percent in 1991 to 30 percent in 2009. In Bulgaria and Lithuania, the proportion of the population affected by the economic downturn decreased from nearly three-quarters in 1991 to just over half. Surveys conducted by the U.S.-based human rights organization 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, challenging the effectiveness of the neoliberal capitalism approach endorsed by the West. As a result, hopes of closing the wealth gap with Western countries have been replaced by a growing sense of injustice. In Hungary, where the economic downturn has hit hard, a survey by pollster Szonda Ipsos in October revealed that 70 percent of adults who lived through the 1989 regime change were disappointed with the outcomes. People in the former Yugoslav countries, who were deeply affected by the ethnic wars of the 1990s and are still not part of the EU, are feeling nostalgic for the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito. During this time, they were able to travel across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, expressed a sentiment shared by many, stating that everything was better back then with no street crime, secure jobs, and salaries that allowed for a decent standard of living. Today, Markovic struggles to survive on her monthly pension of 250 euros ($370). In Bulgaria, some view the 33-year rule of former dictator Todor Zhivkov as a golden era when compared to the widespread corruption and crime that followed his downfall. More than 60% of people say they had a better life in the past, despite having to wait in shopping queues, relying on social connections for valuable goods, being unable to buy jeans and Coca Cola, and waiting up to 10 years to purchase a car. Historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov noted in a book on Bulgaria's influential figures that some Bulgarians valued security over freedom. Even nearly three years after joining the EU, Bulgaria still has the lowest average monthly salary and pension in the bloc. In comparison, Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined in 2004, also have lower incomes than western European countries. Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania were ranked among the top 10 most discontented countries in the world in a 2008 global survey by Gallup. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year old student in Budapest, commented on how her parents' generation was content with what they had, in contrast to the current desire for more. She mentioned that communist regimes used to suppress unemployment rates artificially. After years of slow reforms, many people are now unwilling to make further sacrifices required for a complete overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has led to demoralization and an increase in support for political parties promising 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 claim that there is a gradual revival of the Soviet Union to rationalize the suppression of media and opposition parties. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group stated that there is a glorification of the Soviet era as part of a deliberate strategy to portray the Soviet regime in a positive light to the current generation. In Bulgaria, powerful individuals known as oligarchs, who have significant control over various sectors of the economy, have risen from the ranks of the former communist party and its feared secret services. The names of corrupt politicians and crime bosses are widely known, but Bulgaria has yet to convict any high-ranking officials of corruption and has only imprisoned one gang leader since 1989. There have been no convictions for the atrocities committed during the communist era. Among ordinary Bulgarians, common terms include "dalavera," a Turkish word for fraud, "mutri," a slang term for unsavory mafia members, and "mente," which refers to counterfeit goods. Many people are becoming disillusioned with the idea of achieving success through honest means. According to Boriana Dimitrova from Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research, success is seen as criminal behavior. She noted that this feeling of injustice is especially prevalent in the Balkans, the poorest part of Europe, where powerful parallel structures go unchecked. Some individuals believe that while the old regime was oppressive, it at least provided 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 suggest that in the face of public discontent and economic recession, only populist governments can thrive in the region. Ivan Krastev from Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute stated that the level of distrust towards political elite and institutions is so high that convincing people to take action under unpopular governments is difficult. Some in Bulgaria criticize the West for easily accepting the communist past of the new elite members. Critics point to the election of Bulgarian Irina Bokova, a former communist official and ambassador to Paris, as head of UNESCO in September as an example of the West's hypocrisy. Bokova's past in Moscow during communism helped her advance in her diplomatic career in the 1990s. Some eastern Europeans believe they have successfully embraced materialism, surpassing capitalist standards. During the prosperous years, a significant portion of the loans acquired were used for luxury items such as expensive cars, yachts, high-end televisions, designer clothing, cosmetic surgeries, and extravagant vacations. The trend of adopting foreign customs even extended to naming newborns with Western names and the proliferation of reality television shows like "Big Brother." Renowned Bulgarian artist, Nikola Manev, living in Paris, expressed concern about the growing Americanization of Bulgaria, noting instances such as people speaking to him in English and restaurants bearing names like Miami. Manev questioned why Bulgarian culture was being overshadowed by foreign influences. He observed that while the surface of the city may show new developments such as buildings, shops, and cars, the people have become increasingly sad, aggressive, and unhappy. He recommended spiritual remedies to address this issue. This fall, tickets for performances at Sofia's theaters are selling out well in advance for the first time in many years.