Igor Tulyantsev: “We won’t allow to rewrite the history!”

Entering into the ruling coalition, the liberal and democratic and democratic parties of Moldova decided to rename all streets of the country, the names of which contain any signs of the Soviet past. The draft of the resolution forbids to use “the terms containing the elements of totalitarian ideology” in the names of settlements, streets, enterprises, institutes and organizations

These steps caused a mass protest in those who plays for independent Moldova, instead of for transformation of the republic into the province of Romania. The Russian Youth League showed worth most of all which carried out a number of actions.

So, as a result of fight for restoration of a historical name of Belsky Street which the authorities renamed in the honour of Kuza-Vode who has united the Moldavian principality with Wallachia, more than 5 thousand signatures for name return were collected in Kishinev. This idea was supported by 30 public organizations and a number of political parties of Moldova.

Who is Alexey Ilyich Belsky? He was the colonel, hero of the Soviet Union, honourable citizen of Kishinev. The battalion under his command was the first which broke to the city centre during the battles time for release of the capital of Moldova and set up the Banner of a victory over Kishinev! In 1970 the street was named in his honour …

And the local council of the Moldavian city Bricheni decided to return the historical name of one of the central city streets, “June 28” in the honour of liberation of Moldova from the Romanian occupation which carried earlier the name “Priyeteniya”.

The chairman of the non-governmental ethno-cultural anti-fascist organization “Russian Youth League of the Republic of Moldova” Igor Tulyantsev tells about these events:

- Why the entering into the ruling coalition liberal and democratic and democratic parties of Moldova decided to rename all streets, the names of which contain the signs of the Soviet past?

- This idea is advanced not only by these two political parties, but by all “Alliance for the European integration” where the radical right-wing Liberal party of Moldova enters led by Mikhail Ghimpu who is the ideologist and the ideological inspirer of all anti-Soviet and anti-Russian.

For some reason it is formed in the country - the farther from Russia, the closer to Europe. And the foreign policy of Moldova is the European integration. On the basis of this, the ruling alliance tries to toady to the European officials with such statements and actions in every possible way. If to take in a complex, Moldova acted according to the Baltic scenario.

- Is it true that this initiative first of all will concern Gagauzia as in all its settlements there are streets in the names of which the Soviet symbols and names of the Soviet figures are reflected?

- Not only in Gagauzia this remained. For example, also the names of streets of the Soviet period remained in Taraclia. These issues are solved at level of local government therefore in some regions it still remained.

- Could you tell detailed about the project “Memory of Generations”: what is the essence, purposes and tasks.

- The Russian Youth League of the Republic of Moldova started the project “Memory of Generations”, the main objective of which is the care of our ancestors’ graves which need the restoration. Namely these people released the world from fascism. The events connected with the Great Patriotic War are held. And, certainly, we fight for the return of historical names of our streets.

The project “Memory of Generations”, which the Russian Youth League began, should help to all not indifferent citizens of the republic to protect the history, to protect our past and our future.

- The Russian Youth League of the Republic of Moldova initiated the collection of signatures in support of return of the historical name of one of the central city streets in Bricheni. This fight is crowned with success. Why the unionists didn't manage to achieve the purposes?

- It was not possible, as their minority is in Bricheni's city council. There are understanding people there. And we managed to agree with themz.

The collection of signatures of Bricheni’s inhabitants for return of the former name of the street was initiated by our local office in Bricheni. And Bricheni's inhabitants supported the idea of the young fellow citizens with enthusiasm. Within August and September the activists of the Russian Youth League made several large-scale actions on collection of signatures of citizens. While the central authorities of the country strenuously fight against all the Soviet: monuments, names, symbols, simple citizens on the contrary show activity in questions of preservation of historical memory and justice.

It makes happy that the truth triumphs, despite extreme promotion of mass media of the Alliance power. It is possible to be only respectful to the decision of city council of Bricheni which supported our initiative and listened to opinion of the fellow citizens. It gives the hope that similar initiatives will be supported in other cities and regions of our country.

Besides, this fact installs confidence that if the question of the introduction in the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will be taken out on a republican referendum, so the vast majority of citizens of Moldova will support idea of the Eurasian integration.

- Bricheni's city council supported an initiative and listened to opinion of the fellow citizens. Can other municipalities do similarly?

- We very actively work in this direction, and already there are certain motions. I’m sure that soon it will be possible to the Russian Youth League to put this initiative into practice in other cities of Moldova.

- How is the work on return of the historical name of the street bearing a name of the Hero of the Soviet Union, the honourable citizen of Kishinev A.I.Belsky?

- The question is already solved. The municipal council of Kishinev supported our initiative. But the situation becomes complicated that the secretary of council didn't sign the decision still on various pretexts. Therefore it didn't come into force yet. Naturally, the pressure is put upon him from above. But, the introduction of the decision in force is only a matter of time.

The brought-up question of return of the historical name of the street bearing a name of the Hero of the Soviet Union, the honourable citizen of Kishinev A.I.Belsky is only our first step to opposition to a historical revisionism. This is very important decision, but it is necessary to go further. I’m sure that it is necessary to connect the regions to this project. Many cities of our Homeland had the streets “June 28”, named in honour of Liberation day of Moldova from the Romanian occupational regime. This date should be immortalized, despite desire of some political forces to rewrite the history.

June 28 Street in Bricheni and Belsky Street in Kishinev became the beginning of the large project on restoration of historical justice in relation to our heroes and our history. The Moldavian people remember the past and demand respect to it that is why we undertook this matter. We have the appeals of inhabitants from different corners of Moldova and I am sure that together we won’t give to forget about former glory of Heroes.