For your convenience, our answers to your most frequently asked questions are divided into several categories: you can choose the one you need or read through all of them just in case.
Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. Soon, we’ll be sharing news and recommendations for 2026 here. Stay tuned for updates.
NAMES
Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. Soon, we’ll be sharing news and recommendations for 2026 here. Stay tuned for updates.
Go to ru.openlist.wiki. This is an online database of political terror victims. You can download as many names as you need, including names from specific categories: people from a certain geographic area or region, those involved in a particular profession or religion, and so on. You can set the desired criteria in the advanced search of any of these databases.
The Telegram bot for downloading the names, developed for Returning the Names, is currently on pause. We will let you know when it resumes operation.
Go to ru.openlist.wiki. This is an online database of political terror victims with an advanced search option. Set the desired criteria in the advanced search area of the database and download the number of names you need. These may be names of people from a certain geographic area or region, of a specific nationality, people of a particular profession or religion, etc.
It is easier to recite the names in a consistent format. We recommend compiling all name cards the following way:
- first name, patronymic, and surname of the person (it is better to put the surname at the end),
- age at the time of the persecution,
- place of birth, occupation (place of study or work),
- occupation (place of study or work),
- date and place of execution.
E.g.:
Lidiya Dmitrievna Apreleva
17 years old
Born in Harbin
Nursery school teacher
Executed in 1937 in the Smolensk Region
Sure. You can make cards with the names of your executed relatives and read them at the event along with (or instead of) other names. You can mention some additional details if you find it appropriate.
We recommend compiling all name cards the following way:
- first name, patronymic, and surname of the person (it is better to put the surname at the end),
- age at the time of the persecution,
- place of birth, occupation (place of study or work),
- occupation (place of study or work),
- date and place of execution.
E.g.:
Lidiya Dmitrievna Apreleva
17 years old
Born in Harbin
Nursery school teacher
Executed in 1937 in the Smolensk Region
Typically, each participant reads out between 2 and 4 names. This number can be adjusted depending on how many people are attending the event and how long it is planned to be.
If you are organizing this event, make sure to prepare name cards and have some extra cards for those who may come unexpectedly: often more people than have signed up end up attending, or joining in the spur of the moment.
If you are a participant, you can prepare the names of people who are important to you: relatives and family friends, people of a particular profession or religion, etc.
CITIES AND VENUES
Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. Soon, we’ll start sharing recommendations for 2026 and news on local events. Stay tuned for updates.
The Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. The 2025 events has already concluded.
Go to the Become an organizer section for detailed instructions and tips. Organizing an event is not as difficult as it may seem, and your action doesn’t have to be huge. Returning the Names can be just a few people reading out the names of victims of political persecution at a place associated with the history of terror or resistance.
Returning the Names can be held at any symbolic or historical place in your city. It can be a monument to victims of political terror or a memorial place of resistance to a totalitarian regime, a mass grave or an execution site, a Last Address plaque, or any other memorial landmark.
It is up to you to decide whether to obtain government permission for the action. In most cases, it is not necessary, but it is always better to check out the legislation of the country, region, or city where you are planning the reading.
For instance, in Russia, the Constitution recognizes the right of citizens to hold peaceful assemblies, rallies, and demonstrations. But the federal law still requires you to notify the authorities of the planned action.
There are many ways to take part in the action in a less public way.
You can place candles, flowers, or cards with the names of the executed at a memorial site in your city on October 29. You can take a photo of your contribution and send it to us via social media. We will post them anonymously or tag your account — whichever you prefer.
You can record a video of you reading the names and post it on your page on any social media. You can also publish a text-only post with the names of the executed or share a family story.
Share your post with us by using the hashtag #returningthenames. We will see your posts and would be happy to share them on October 29.
And, of course, you can watch the Returning the Names broadcast on October 29: it will be accessible on our website and on YouTube.
Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. Soon, we’ll be sharing news and recommendations for 2026 here. Stay tuned for updates.
FILMING AND BROADCASTING
- The key is to shoot horizontally. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for us to upload the clip for broadcast.
- Put the camera/tablet/phone on a tripod, if possible, to avoid camera shaking while shooting.
- Try to set up the camera so that there are no irrelevant elements above or behind the people reading.
- The background may include a monument or city landscape, flowers, candles, or other participants.
- When the reading begins, make sure the camera is focused on the face of the person who is reciting the names.
- The person’s face should always be above the center of the frame. If you are shooting a close-up, the person’s face should be slightly above the center of the frame. If you are taking a wide shot, position the center of the frame at waist level.
- It is important to record the sound well so that the names can be heard on the broadcast. Please ask participants to speak clearly and loudly enough. When filming, do not move further than two meters away from the person who is reading. Use a buttonhole microphone if possible.
- Before or after the reading, you can take a follow-up shot. Capture the location of the event, participants, flowers, candles, name cards, posters, etc.
- Shoot a variety of zoom plans: general shots to show the location, middle and close-ups to show faces and details.
- Before-and-after shots should last at least 10 seconds. Avoid excessive panning, zooming in or out.
Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. Soon, we’ll be sharing news and recommendations for 2026 here. Stay tuned for updates.
Returning the Names takes place every year on October 29. Soon, we’ll be sharing news and recommendations for 2026 here. Stay tuned for updates.
Going live requires some technical preparation. We have detailed recommendations for going live on October 29.
If you are planning to go live, make sure to inform us via the Become an Organizer online form. (We will share the 2026 form soon. Stay tuned for updates.) We will send you all the technical information and help you organize the process.
It’s still very much appreciated. Every year a lot of people participate in the action without being part of our broadcast. You can post your Returning the Names video on social media.
If you don’t have time to record the reading in advance, can’t go live, prefer a different format of filming, or just want to simply publish the clip on your page, you can do just that. Share your post with us by using the hashtag #returningthenames. We will see your posts and would be happy to share them on October 29.
And, of course, you can watch the Returning the Names broadcast on October 29: it will be accessible on our website and on YouTube.
That’s okay. A good solution is to post your Returning the Names video on social media. You can do it anytime on October 29.
Share your post with us by using the hashtag #returningthenames. We will see your posts and would be happy to share them on October 29.
INFORMATION AND MEDIA
To spread the word about the event to as many potential participants as possible, you need to announce it well in advance. Here’s what you can do.
Create a social media page for the event. For example, a Facebook event where you can conveniently gather those interested and quickly publish updates. We have prepared several templates for you to download and adapt to your specific event (language, date, place, and time).
- Add the hashtag #returningthenames to all relevant posts to make it easier for organizers and participants from different cities and countries to follow Returning the Names on social media.
- Advertise the campaign in your local social media groups or even in your local press.
- Print posters, postcards, or stickers for distribution. We have prepared several templates that can be downloaded and adapted to your specific event (language, date, place, and time).
Soon, we will share the visual identity for 2026. Stay tuned for updates.
Soon, we’ll be sharing news and recommendations for 2026 here. Stay tuned for updates.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact our Telegram bot and we will get back to you.