003: Worship Cross. A memorial cross at the site of mass executions from 1917 to 1940.

An interview with historian Boris Trenin about the prison, the history of the executions at Kashtak, how and when human remains were discovered. About how the history of perpetuating the memory of victims of political repressions developed.
The article "Mass executions on Kashtak" is dedicated to the tragic events of mass repressions in Tomsk in the first half of the 20th century. The author examines the issues of installing a Worship Cross in memory of the victims of political repressions, and also touches upon the problem of accurately determining the locations of mass executions and burials. Based on the recollections of historians and eyewitnesses, the article describes the main locations associated with the executions, including Govorov Street, the Sibkabel area and the Krutoovrazhny settlement. Particular attention is paid to the role of the Tomsk authorities and the Memorial Society in perpetuating the memory of the victims, as well as discussing the problems with access to archival documents.

The article mentions:

• Boris Pavlovich Trenin is the co-chairman of the Tomsk Historical and Educational Society "Memorial", a historian, and one of the key experts on the topic of mass shootings in Tomsk.
• Vitaly Malashchuk, deputy chairman of the city executive committee in 1989, was actively involved in the issue of perpetuating the memory of the victims of repression.
• Yuri Petrukhin – participated in the study of archival documents on the repressions.
• Oleg Shuteev is a public figure, the initiator of the installation of the Cross of Worship, and the organizer of the collection of signatures from residents of Kashtak.
• Alexander Makarov is the mayor of Tomsk, who supported the idea of installing a memorial cross.
• Viktor Kress, Governor of Tomsk Oblast, signed an order to create a memorial to the victims of repression.
• Bishop Rostislav, a church figure, approved the idea of installing the Cross of Worship.
• Matvey Berman – head of the Tomsk Provincial Cheka in 1921, later head of the GULAG, one of the organizers of the repressive policy in the region.
• Alexander Ryzhiy is a former police officer and a witness to the executions of the 1940s.
• Nikolay Klyuev is a Russian poet, mentioned in the context of assumptions about the place of his burial in Tomsk.
• Sergei Yesenin is a Russian poet, his photograph was discovered during construction in the Sibkabel area.

The article highlights the importance of preserving historical memory, as well as the difficulties in reconstructing the full picture of the repressions due to the secrecy of archives and the lack of official data.

The press release informs about the upcoming opening of the Worship Cross on Kashtachnaya Gora, dedicated to the victims of Stalin's repressions. The idea of a memorial, including a cross, a chapel and a park, was initiated in the 90s and implemented by the efforts of the Tomsk city administration, with the support of public and religious figures. Kashtachnaya Gora, historically associated with tragic events, preserves the memory of thousands of those shot and buried. The memorial symbolizes memory, repentance, reminding people of the eternal.
List of names mentioned:

• Bishop of Tomsk and Asino Rostislav;
• Mayor of Tomsk Alexander Makarov;
• Poet Nikolai Klyuev;
• Philosopher Gustav Speth;
• Academician G.A. Ilyinsky;
• Prince Alexander Golitsyn;
• Prince Mikhail Dolgorukov;
• Princess Olga Urusova (Golitsyna);
• Saint Juvenaly, canonized in 1992.