The dense forests of Persin, an idyllic Danube island, are home to endangered sea eagles and pygmy cormorants, as well as the grim remains of a communist-era death camp. From 1949 to 1959, hundreds of "enemies of the regime" lost their lives in Bulgaria's Belene concentration camp, where bodies were even fed to pigs. Despite being largely forgotten two decades after communism fell, a small marble plaque is the only reminder of the camp's horrific history. Nostalgia for the past is on the rise in the small Balkan country and throughout the former Soviet bloc, as capitalism's shortcomings in improving living standards, enforcing the rule of law, and curbing corruption and nepotism lead to fond memories of a time when unemployment was low, food was affordable, and social safety was strong. Rumen Petkov, a 42-year-old former guard turned clerk at the only functioning 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 older population, as they stand in front of the deteriorating buildings of an old jail that was opened after the camp closed in 1959. In the 1980s, the communists imprisoned many ethnic Turks on the island 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 reminisce about the past, with Anelia Beeva, 31, expressing that life was better before with more opportunities for holidays, clothes, shoes, and food. Currently, a significant portion of our earnings is dedicated to purchasing food. Despite having university degrees, many individuals are without jobs and are opting to move to other countries. In Russia, a number of Soviet-style restaurants have emerged in Moscow, some hosting events that evoke nostalgia by having young individuals dress up as pioneers and dance to communist music. Traditional Soviet products such as Champagne and Red October Chocolates are still popular choices for birthday parties. Additionally, "USSR" themed clothing items like T-shirts and baseball caps are commonly seen throughout the country during the summer months. Analysts say that while there is little desire to bring back old regimes, apathy is a significant result. Bulgarian sociologist Vladimir Shopov wrote that nostalgia can drain the energy needed for meaningful change. Disenchantment with democracy is widespread in former communist eastern Europe, with pollsters noting a significant mistrust of the elites who led the countries into the European Union. A recent poll by the US Pew Research Center showed a significant 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 slide decreased from nearly three-quarters in 1991. Surveys conducted by the US-based human rights group, Freedom House, indicate a regression or status quo in corruption, governance, independent media, and civil society in the recently joined EU member states. The global economic crisis has negatively impacted the region, ending several years of growth and challenging the effectiveness of neoliberal capitalism advocated by the West. As a result, aspirations of catching up with wealthier Western nations have been replaced by feelings of injustice due to widening wealth disparities. In Hungary, a country hit hard by the economic downturn, a survey by pollster Szonda Ipsos in October revealed that 70 percent of adults who were present in 1989 expressed disappointment with the outcomes of the regime change. 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 period under Josip Broz Tito. During that time, they were able to travel across Europe without needing a visa. Belgrade pensioner Koviljka Markovic, 70, expressed that life was better back then, with lower street crime, secure jobs, and salaries that allowed for a decent living. Nowadays, Markovic struggles to survive on her pension of 250 euros ($370 a month). In Bulgaria, some people are starting to 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. More than 60 percent of people believe that life was better in the past, despite long shopping lines, the necessity of social connections to obtain valuable goods, restrictions on jeans and Coca Cola, and waiting up to 10 years to buy a car. Some Bulgarians valued security over freedom, according to historians Andrei Pantev and Bozhidar Gavrilov. Bulgaria, three years after joining the EU, still has the lowest average monthly salary of around 300 euros and pension of about 80 euros compared to other EU countries. Even Poland and the Czech Republic, which joined the EU in 2004, have lower incomes than western Europe. A 2008 Gallup survey ranked Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania among the top 10 most discontented countries in the world. Zsofia Kis, a 23-year old student in Budapest, mentioned that the previous generation, our parents, were much more content with what they had compared to the current trend of always wanting more. This change in attitude is attributed to the artificial suppression of unemployment by communist regimes. Despite two decades of difficult reforms, most people are unwilling to make further sacrifices required for a complete overhaul of the economy and judiciary. This has led to demoralization and increased support for political parties that promise strong leadership. Former KGB agent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as the most significant geopolitical disaster of the century. Critics of the Kremlin have accused the government of slowly rehabilitating the Soviet Union in order to justify their restrictions on the media and opposition parties. Historian Nikita Petrov from the Memorial human rights group has stated that there is a deliberate effort to glorify the Soviet past and make the Soviet authorities appear more 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. Despite widespread knowledge of corrupt politicians and crime bosses, Bulgaria has not prosecuted any high-ranking officials for corruption since 1989, and has only imprisoned one gang leader. There have been no convictions for crimes committed during the communist era. Commonly used terms among Bulgarians include "dalavera", meaning fraud, "mutri", a derogatory term for unsightly mafiosi, and "mente", referring to counterfeit goods. Many people in Bulgaria are beginning to doubt whether it is possible to achieve success through honest and ethical means. According to Boriana Dimitrova from Bulgarian polling agency Alpha Research, success is seen as illegal in the Balkans, the poorest part of Europe, where powerful parallel structures go unchallenged. Some people believe that despite its repression, the old regime at least maintained law and order. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov of the centre-right populist GERB party won a significant victory in Bulgaria's July election by promising to end the culture of impunity. Analysts suggest that in this region, only populist governments can thrive due to public dissatisfaction and economic downturn. Ivan Krastev from Sofia's Liberal Strategies Institute stated that the high level of distrust in political elite and institutions makes it difficult to convince people to follow unpopular governments. Some in Bulgaria criticize the West for accepting the communist past of members of 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 believe they have caught up with and even surpassed capitalist standards in their pursuit of materialism. During the prosperous years, a significant portion of the loans obtained were used to purchase luxury items such as cars, yachts, high-end electronics, designer clothing, cosmetic surgeries, and extravagant vacations. The trend of emulating Western lifestyles extended to even naming babies with Western names and inundating television with reality shows like "Big Brother." Renowned Bulgarian artist Nikola Manev, residing in Paris, noted the increasing American influence in Bulgaria, with English being spoken to him on the phone and restaurants adopting names like Miami. Manev expressed concern over the loss of cultural identity, questioning why Bulgarian names were not being embraced. He observed that despite the surface appearance of new buildings, shops, and shiny cars, people have actually become sadder, more aggressive, and unhappy. He suggested spiritual remedies. This fall, tickets for Sofia's theaters are selling out weeks in advance, marking a significant change from previous years.