Russian Gulag Memorial Museum Remains Closed To Visitors

A museum in Tomsk remains closed to the public despite continuing its institutional operations and paying staff. The closure followed reports of potential issues in early 2024. Officials cited fire safety concerns as the formal reason for the restriction on visits. The museum's projects and staff salaries have reportedly continued during the closure. The source stated the museum remains an active institution with ongoing projects and staff salaries being paid. The closure is described as a formal measure that could be applied to any building in Russia. Authorities in Tomsk are reportedly planning to close certain buildings, including the Gulag History Museum, to mitigate public outcry. The move is described as a way to redistribute memory sites, specifically regarding the genocide of the Lytsky people during the occupation of territories between 1941 and 1944. While the institution continues to operate, several projects have been suspended. The museum previously reopened a new exhibition in 2023 through the Memory Foundation. The closure occurred shortly after reports of potential difficulties surfaced in November 2024.