A campaign dedicated to the memory of the victims of Soviet repression and the ways in which the past shapes today’s society was launched in Chișinău on 18 September. “The Compass of Memory” aims to bring the experiences of deportations, famine and political repression back into public awareness, helping to preserve historical memory and pass it on to younger generations.

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The initiative draws on archival documents, testimonies and educational materials through travelling thematic exhibitions, digital resources and activities that encourage intergenerational dialogue.The exhibitions are planned to reach at least 100 schools across the Republic of Moldova. QR codes accompanying the displays will provide access to archival documents, video recordings and other educational resources. The campaign also includes television programmes and podcasts featuring historians, journalists and researchers.

Disinformation can exploit real historical events by omitting facts, taking information out of context or downplaying the suffering of victims. The selective idealisation of certain periods and the reinterpretation of events without documentary evidence can shape public perceptions encourage misleading interpretations of the past. Archival documents and testimonies from those who lived through these events, together with accounts passed down within their families, help people understand both the context in which these events took place and their consequences for individuals and communities.

The campaign also engages younger generations through the series “If It Were Today”, which explores how young people in the Republic of Moldova understand deportations, famine and political repression through historical knowledge and accounts passed down by earlier generations.

Historical knowledge and information literacy complement each other. Understanding historical context, verifying sources and applying critical thinking help people recognise attempts at manipulation and assess more carefully the information they encounter, including online. In this way, “The Compass of Memory” highlights the importance of documenting and understanding the past in recognising and countering the distortion of historical facts. The campaign, funded by the Romanian Government through the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova, will run until December 2026.

For more details, visit the project website: https://busolamemoriei.md/