In the dense forests of the picturesque Danube island of Persin, where endangered sea eagles and pygmy cormorants reside, lies the haunting remnants of a communist-era concentration camp. Between 1949-59, hundreds of individuals considered "enemies of the regime" died from abuse, starvation, and exhaustion at Bulgaria's Belene camp, where corpses were even fed to pigs. Two decades after the collapse of communism, Belene is largely forgotten, with only a small marble plaque recounting its dark 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, enforcing the rule of law, and combating corruption and nepotism have led to a yearning for the days of full employment, affordable food, and strong social safety nets. Rumen Petkov, a former guard turned clerk at the only remaining prison on Persin island, mentioned that the negative experiences have been forgotten. He noted 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 on the site after the camp was 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 nearby town of Belene, connected to the island by a pontoon bridge, also look back fondly on the past, with one resident mentioning that life was better before with more opportunities for travel and access to goods like clothes, shoes, and food. Currently, a significant portion of our earnings is dedicated to purchasing food. Individuals who hold university degrees are struggling to find employment and often choose to relocate to other countries. In Moscow, a number of Soviet-themed restaurants have emerged, hosting nostalgia nights where attendees dress as pioneers and dance to communist music. Traditional Soviet treats like Champagne and Red October Chocolates are still popular for birthday parties. Additionally, "USSR" apparel such as T-shirts and baseball caps are commonly seen throughout Russia during the summer months. Analysts say that while there is little desire for old regimes to be reinstated, apathy is a significant consequence. Disenchantment with democracy is prevalent across former communist eastern Europe, with mistrust of the elites who facilitated EU citizenship being particularly high. A recent regional poll by the U.S. Pew Research Center revealed a significant decline in support for democracy and capitalism in countries like Ukraine, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Hungary. In Ukraine, for example, approval of the shift to democracy dropped from 72 percent in 1991 to just 30 percent in 2009. In Bulgaria and Lithuania, the percentage of the population affected by the economic crisis has decreased from almost three-quarters in 1991. Surveys conducted by Freedom House, a U.S.-based human rights group, 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, ending several years of growth and challenging the effectiveness of neoliberal capitalism. As a result, the aspiration to catch up with wealthier Western neighbors has been replaced by a feeling of injustice due to the widening wealth gap. In Hungary, a country heavily impacted by the economic downturn, a survey conducted by pollster Szonda Ipsos in October revealed that 70 percent of adults who lived through the regime change in 1989 expressed disappointment with the outcomes. People in the former Yugoslav countries, who are still not part of the EU and have been affected by ethnic wars in the 1990s, are looking back nostalgically at the socialist era of Josip Broz Tito. During that time, they were able to travel across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, aged 70, expressed that life was better back then, with less street crime, secure jobs, and salaries that allowed for a decent standard of living. Nowadays, she struggles to survive on her monthly pension of 250 euros ($370). In Bulgaria, some are starting to view the 33-year rule of the late dictator Todor Zhivkov as a golden era, especially when 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, relying on social connections to obtain valuable goods, being unable to access items like jeans and Coca Cola, and waiting up to a decade to purchase a car. Historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov noted in a book on influential figures in Bulgaria's history that for some Bulgarians, security was more important than freedom. Even three years after joining the EU, Bulgaria still has the lowest average monthly salary and pension in the union. Countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, also have lower incomes compared to western Europe. According to a 2008 global survey by Gallup, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania were among the top 10 most dissatisfied countries in the world. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year old student in Budapest, observed that our parents' generation was content with what they had, unlike today where everyone craves more. This is partly due to communist regimes artificially controlling unemployment. Despite two decades of difficult reforms, most people are unwilling to make further sacrifices necessary for a full overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has led to demoralization and increased support for political parties that promise strong leadership. Former KGB agent and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has referred to the collapse of the Soviet Union as the most significant geopolitical event of the century. Critics of the Kremlin believe that this sentiment reflects a dangerous trend of romanticizing the Soviet era in order to justify the government's restrictions on the media and opposition groups. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group has observed a deliberate effort to portray the Soviet regime in a positive light to appeal to younger generations. In Bulgaria, powerful individuals known as oligarchs who dominate various industries have emerged from the ranks of the former communist party and its feared secret services. The identities of corrupt politicians and crime leaders are widely known, yet Bulgaria has not successfully prosecuted any high-ranking officials for corruption since 1989, with only one gang leader being jailed. Additionally, no one has been held accountable for the communist-era atrocities. Commonly used terms among Bulgarians include "dalavera," a Turkish term for fraud, "mutri," a slang word for unsightly mafia members, and "mente," which refers to counterfeit goods. Many people are becoming disillusioned with the idea of achieving success through honest means. Boriana Dimitrova from the Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research stated that success is seen as illegal, especially in the Balkans, the poorest part of Europe, where powerful parallel structures exist without consequences. 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 victory in Bulgaria in July by promising to end the culture of impunity. Analysts suggest that only populist governments can thrive in the region due to public dissatisfaction and economic recession. According to Ivan Krastev from Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute, there is a high level of distrust in political leaders and institutions, making it difficult to persuade people to cooperate under unpopular governments. Some Bulgarians criticize the West for accepting former communist officials into positions of power. Critics point to the election of Irina Bokova, who has a communist background, as head of UNESCO as an example of Western hypocrisy. Bokova's career benefited from her past connections and education in Moscow during the communist era. Some Eastern Europeans believe they have successfully embraced and even surpassed capitalist ideals, particularly in their pursuit of material wealth. During the boom years, a significant portion of the loans were used to purchase luxurious items such as fancy cars, yachts, flat-screen TVs, designer clothes, silicon surgeries, and exotic vacations. The trend of adopting foreign standards extended to giving babies Western names and broadcasting reality shows like "Big Brother" on TV. Renowned Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, who resides in Paris, expressed concern about the Americanization of Bulgaria, noting that English is commonly spoken and restaurants have names like Miami. Manev questioned why Bulgarian culture is being overshadowed by foreign influences. He observed that despite the superficial appearance of progress with new buildings, shops, and shiny cars, people are actually becoming more unhappy and aggressive. He suggested that spiritual remedies may be needed. This fall, tickets for performances at Sofia's theaters are selling out weeks in advance, a phenomenon that hasn't been seen in many years.