A Memorial Tree-lined Avenue Is Being Cut Down In Trostenets

To build a fence.

Threads user aleksandra_yaraya, who lives near the “Trostenets” memorial complex outside Minsk, spoke about the cutting down of poplar trees along the “Road of Death.” These trees were planted by concentration camp prisoners more than 80 years ago.

“I live near the Trostenets Memorial Complex, and I just heard that they’re going to cut down the poplars,” she writes. “The poplars that were planted by the concentration camp prisoners themselves to serve as a fence.”

In one of the comments, the author of the post clarified that she had received this information from the workers carrying out the cutting.

“Today I walked past some men who were holding a development plan for the cemetery, and I’m quoting them verbatim: ‘We need to cut down these, these, and these poplars.’”

The Road of Death begins before the official ‘start’ of the memorial complex; the poplars grow even before it begins. Aren’t they also a continuation of this avenue? Even though the road is paved the same way there?”

Many social media users have expressed their outrage over the plans to cut down the trees. The website Charter97.org cites some comments:

- This year, there seems to be some kind of war on green spaces all over Minsk. Apparently, if winter comes, the amount of road salt will triple. As long as there are no trees, there’s no problem—but what happens next?

- There are forces for whom the memory of Nazism is inconvenient; they want to repeat it.

- In order to cut down the poplars, an expert assessment of all the trees must be conducted. Demand a valuation plan. Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources. Why are they cutting down the poplars if the fence can be built in its original location?

- What are they doing to this country? Are they cutting down parks and forests, poisoning rivers, killing livestock and birds, and exterminating bees? What are you doing to our country?

- China needs timber; it can’t wait.

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