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Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repressions

Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repressions, also known as The Train of Pain, is a monument in Chișinău, Moldova. A temporary stone was unveiled in 1990 at Central Station Square to commemorate the 1940–1951 mass deportations in Soviet Moldavia. A permanent memorial was completed at the same site in 2013. The sculptural element was assembled in Belarus. The monument stands as a reminder of the victims of Stalinist repression and the deportations remembered by the memorial.

The Train of Pain monument at night, showing a long dark sculpture of clustered human figures on a light-colored base.
The Train of Pain monument in Chișinău, a memorial to victims of communist deportations, lit at night.
November 2014 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Train of Pain monument showing a dark sculptural relief of families and children on a stone base at night.
The Train of Pain monument in Chișinău, a memorial to victims of communist mass deportations in Moldova.
November 2014 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Train of Pain monument lit at night, showing a long sculpture of human figures on a stone pedestal.
The Train of Pain monument in Chișinău, illuminated at night.
July 2015 © Maxence · CC BY 2.0
The Train of Pain monument at night, showing a dark sculptural mass of stylized figures on a long stone base.
The Train of Pain monument in Chișinău, lit at night beside a streetlamp.
November 2014 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Train of Pain monument on a light stone base in a paved square, with a large historical display screen beside it.
The Train of Pain monument stands in a paved public square beside a large screen showing a historical scene.
July 2024 © Parlamentul Republicii Moldova | Pagina oficială · CC0

Identification

TitleThe Train of Pain – Memorial to Victims of Stalinist Repression
Alternative nameTrain of Pain
TypeMonument

Historical context

SubjectVictims of deportations by the communist regime
Commemorated eventThe 1940–1951 mass deportations in Soviet Moldavia
Planning started2006
Temporary memorial unveiled1990
Permanent memorial completed2013

Creator

SculptorYurie Platon

Discovery and provenance

Sculptural element assembled inBelarus
Place of manufactureBelarus

Location and ownership

LocationChișinău, Moldova
SiteCentral Station Square
Planned locationSquare near the Railway Station of the Moldovan capital
Earlier installation at siteA stone plaque was placed at the site before the monument was installed, inscribed: "Aici va fi înalţat un monument în memoria victimilor represiunilor staliniste" ("Here a monument will be erected in memory of the victims of Stalinist repressions").

Physical characteristics

DescriptionA composition of people tightly packed into one column, merging together to form a train.
Dimensions3 meters high and 12 meters long
Weight15 tons

Materials

MaterialBronze

History and restoration

Cost24 million lei
Cost includesCreation of the monument and improvement of the surrounding territory