In the dense forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin, where the endangered sea eagle and the pygmy cormorant reside, lies the grim remnants of a communist-era death camp. Between 1949 and 1959, hundreds of "enemies of the regime" met their demise from abuse, hunger, and exhaustion at Bulgaria's Belene concentration camp, where deceased bodies were used as pig feed. Despite two decades passing since communism's downfall, Belene has largely been forgotten, with only a small marble plaque recounting its chilling history. Nostalgia for the past is on the rise in the small Balkan nation and throughout the former Soviet bloc, as capitalism's shortcomings in improving living standards, establishing law and order, and curbing rampant corruption and favoritism have led to a longing for the era when unemployment was minimal, food was affordable, and social security was robust. Rumen Petkov, a 42-year-old former guard turned clerk at the only remaining prison on Persin island, remarked 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 another old jail that was established on the site following the closure of the camp in 1959. In the 1980s, the communists imprisoned many ethnic Turks here for refusing to change their names to Bulgarian. Some young residents of the impoverished town of Belene, connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also recall the past fondly, with Anelia Beeva, 31, stating that life was better before with plenty of opportunities for holidays, clothing, shoes, and food. Currently, a significant portion of our earnings goes towards food expenses. Even individuals with higher education degrees are struggling to find employment and are opting to move overseas. In Moscow, a number of Soviet-themed restaurants have emerged in recent times, hosting events like nostalgia nights where young individuals don pioneer attire and dance to communist songs. Traditional Soviet treats such as Champagne and Red October Chocolates are still popular choices for birthday festivities. Additionally, "USSR" themed clothing like T-shirts and baseball caps are commonly spotted throughout the country during the summer months. According to analysts, although there is little genuine desire to bring back old regimes, apathy is a significant consequence. Sociologist Vladimir Shopov expressed concern that nostalgia can hinder the motivation for meaningful change. Disenchantment with democracy is widespread in former communist eastern Europe, with pollsters noting a significant distrust of the elites who facilitated EU citizenship. A recent regional poll by the US Pew Research Center revealed a 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 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 nearly three-quarters in 1991 to just over half. Surveys conducted by the US-based human rights organization 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, leading to the end of several years of growth and challenging the effectiveness of neoliberal capitalism advocated by the West. Instead of aspiring to catch up with their wealthier Western neighbors, there is now a growing sense of injustice due to the widening wealth gap between the rich and the poor. In Hungary, one of the countries hit hardest by the economic downturn, a survey conducted in October by pollster Szonda Ipsos revealed that 70 percent of adults who experienced the regime change in 1989 were disappointed with the results. People in the former Yugoslav countries, still scarred by the ethnic wars of the 1990s and not yet part of the EU, are longing for the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito. During that time, they were able to travel freely across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, expressed nostalgia for that period, stating that everything was better back then. She mentioned that there was no street crime, job security, and salaries were sufficient for a decent standard of living. However, she now struggles to survive on her pension of 250 euros ($370 a month). In Bulgaria, some view the 33-year rule of the late dictator Todor Zhivkov as a golden era when compared to the rampant corruption and crime that followed his downfall. According to historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov, many Bulgarians believe they had a better quality of life in the past, despite long shopping queues, limited social connections for valuable goods, restrictions on items like jeans and Coca Cola, and lengthy waits to buy a car. Some Bulgarians valued security over freedom. Even after three years in the EU, Bulgaria still has the lowest average monthly salary and pension in the union. In comparison, Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined in 2004, also have lower incomes than western European countries. A 2008 Gallup survey ranked Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania among the world's most discontented nations. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year old student in Budapest, mentioned that the previous generation, our parents, were content with what they had compared to the current trend of wanting more of everything. She highlighted how communist regimes artificially controlled unemployment. Despite two decades of difficult reforms, most people are unwilling to make further sacrifices required for a complete overhaul of the economy and the judiciary. This has led to demoralization and increased support for political parties advocating for a strict approach, which is not surprising. Former KGB agent and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has referred to the fall of the Soviet Union as the "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century." Critics of the Kremlin believe that this sentiment reflects a larger trend of rehabilitating the Soviet Union in order to validate the government's crackdown on media and opposition parties. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group has observed a deliberate effort to portray the Soviet era in a positive light, with the aim of making it more appealing to the current generation. In Bulgaria, powerful individuals known as oligarchs have gained control over large sectors of the economy, stemming from their ties to the former communist party and its feared secret services. Despite the widespread knowledge of corrupt politicians and criminal leaders, Bulgaria has failed to hold senior officials accountable for corruption or prosecute individuals for communist-era crimes. The use of terms like "dalavera" (meaning fraud), "mutri" (referring to unsightly mafiosi), and "mente" (indicating counterfeit goods) has become common among ordinary Bulgarians. Many are disillusioned, feeling that achieving success through honest means is increasingly difficult. Boriana Dimitrova of Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research stated that success is seen as criminalized, especially in the Balkans, Europe's poorest region, where powerful parallel structures go unchecked. Some believe that although the old regime was oppressive, there was at least a sense of law and order. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of the centre-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 dissatisfaction and economic recession, only populist governments can thrive in the region. Ivan Krastev of Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute stated that the high level of distrust in political elite and institutions makes it difficult to persuade people to comply with unpopular governments. Some Bulgarians believe that the West is hypocritical for accepting former communists into positions of power. Critics point to the election of Bulgarian Irina Bokova, a former communist official and ambassador, as head of UNESCO as an example of this hypocrisy. Bokova's career advancement has been attributed to her communist past. Despite this, some eastern Europeans feel they have successfully embraced materialism and surpassed capitalist standards. During the boom years, many loans were used to purchase luxury items such as fancy cars, yachts, flat TV screens, designer clothes, silicon surgeries, and exotic trips abroad. The trend of copying foreign standards extended to giving babies Western names and broadcasting reality shows like "Big Brother" on TV screens. Renowned Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, currently living in Paris, commented on the Americanization of Bulgaria, noting that even phone conversations and restaurant names are in English instead of using traditional Bulgarian language. He observed that despite the external appearance of new buildings, shops, and shiny cars, people's attitudes have worsened, with increased sadness, aggression, and unhappiness. He suggested spiritual remedies. This fall, tickets for Sofia's theaters are selling out weeks in advance, a phenomenon not seen in many years.