Bykivnia: How grave robbers, activists, and foreigners ended official silence about Stalin's mass graves near Kiev

Karel C. Berkhoff*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in book/volumeChapterScientificpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The chapter will show how both the Soviet authorities and the leaders of independent Ukraine attempted to block real investigation and commemoration at the hamlet of Bykivnia, where the NKVD buried murdered bodies from 1939-1941. The chapter will look into how their attempts failed due to pressure from within—grave robbers and activists—and, especially, without—Germany and Poland. Following this account, details about the little-known Nazi and Soviet exhumations at the site will be examined.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman Remains and Identification
Subtitle of host publicationMass Violence, Genocide, and the 'Forensic Turn'
EditorsÉlisabeth Anstett, Jean-Marc Dreyfus
Place of PublicationManchester
PublisherManchester University Press
Pages59-82
Number of pages24
ISBN (Electronic)9781784991968
ISBN (Print)9780719097560
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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