Memorial museum of the History of Political Repression ‘Perm-36’

The Museum is located on the site of a former corrective labour camp, established in 1936. From 1972-1989 this camp (institution VS 389/36) was part of the network of the Skalny (Perm) camps for ‘particular dangerous state criminals’ – prisoners who had been sentenced for political reasons. The camp complex consisted of the ‘Strict Regime Section’ and the ‘Special Regime Section’. The latter resembled a prison and was intended for ‘extremely dangerous recidivists’, that is, political prisoners who were serving an additional sentence.

The Museum was founded by the effort of a group of enthusiasts with support from the Perm ‘Memorial’ group, various NGOs, and the regional administration. The restoration work began in 1993. In 1995 the museum opened its doors for the public.

The Memorial Museum of Kuchino is the only place in Russia where the site of a former camp has been converted into a memorial. About 50% of the buildings and surroundings have been restored, refurbished and made accessible so far.

The permanent exhibition is housed in one of the former barracks. The barrack also accommodates temporary exhibitions. The Museum regularly conducts thematic excursions, mostly for secondary school pupils and regional workers’ collectives. In addition the Museum creates travelling exhibitions for display in remote districts of Perm Region, other Russian regions and abroad.

The Museum’s archive comprises more than 1000 single items: a photo archive, a collection of audio and video recordings of interviews with former prisoners of the camp VS 389, other political prisoners of the period between 1950-1980, and victims and eyewitnesses of political repression during the Stalin era. Besides the archive contains copies of documents on the history of the Gulag from regional and central archives. The Museum’s collection today includes about 700 objects, mainly tools and personal belongings of prisoners of institution VS 389/36, as well as similar items collected during expeditions to the sites of other camps.

The restoration of the former camp continues. Every year during the building season young volunteers, among them workers from non-Russian NGOs, carry out restoration work on the former camp’s territory.

The Memorial Centre regularly organises conferences and cultural events, in particular the annual symposium in memory of V. P. Astafev. In addition it acts as a publisher of educational books and brochures, including textbooks, creates video films and multimedia material and works with teachers from schools of Perm and the wider region.