2024-10-30 13:00:00
The fallen crosses in the city’s old cemetery are considered by the Narvitians as a sign of disobedience to the memory of those who died, but there is currently no way to rectify this situation. Photo: Reader NG
Narva residents drew the attention of the Narvskaya Gazeta to the fact that grave-cross monuments are located on the ground on the territory of the Petrovsky cemetery in the Siivertsi district. This gives the cemetery a derelict appearance and is particularly disturbing to the people of that town who still take care of the graves of their loved ones who are located there.
Who should remove the fallen crosses and generally improve the cemetery to ensure, they ask. Natalya Magerramova, a senior landscaping specialist at the Department of Urban Services of the Narva City Government, explained to Narva Gazeta that Petrovskoye Cemetery and other old cemeteries on the road to Narva-Jõesuu are indeed urban areas and that the city is responsible for improving them. The company with which the city has an agreement regularly cleans these areas and empties the garbage containers installed there.
However, in order to raise or completely remove old fallen crosses, it is necessary to establish who owns the corresponding parts of the cemetery. “We consulted on this issue with the Department of Architecture and Planning and received a recommendation: until the owners of the plots are identified, we cannot touch these crosses. They only need to be moved slightly if they interfere with the exit or entry of equipment,” explained the specialist.
An inventory of old city cemeteries is currently being made. Its goal is to identify the owners of the plots using city archives.
Madis Tuuder, senior antiquities protection inspector at the city’s Department of Architecture and Planning, told NG that an inventory of old city cemeteries is currently being made. Its goal is to identify the owners of the plots using city archives. Only then will it be possible to resolve the issue of abandoned graves and fallen crosses.
As the specialist explained, after the inventory, the Petrovskoye cemetery can regain official status. To be honest, this was surprising: as far as NG knows, those who have family burials for a long time already, still sometimes bury their relatives in this cemetery. Do people really do this unofficially? “This is not forbidden,” explained the specialist.
However, for relatives to be able to do this officially in these rare cases and to officially assign certain cemetery plots to people, the local government needs to approve the procedure for using the plots – a similar document with the. one, for example, on which Vaivara Kalmistud SA works (this institution owns the cemetery in Riigiküla). The new order will be accepted after the inventory is complete.
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Title: Preserving Memory: An Interview on the Challenges of Cemetery Maintenance in Narva
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, everyone. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Natalya Magerramova, a senior landscaping specialist at the Department of Urban Services of the Narva City Government. We’re here to discuss the recent concerns raised by residents about the state of Petrovsky Cemetery in the Siivertsi district, where many grave-cross monuments have fallen and remain on the ground. Thank you for joining us, Natalya.
Natalya Magerramova: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this important issue.
Interviewer: Narva residents have expressed deep concern over the fallen crosses at Petrovsky Cemetery, feeling it disrespects the memory of their loved ones. Can you share what steps the city is taking to address these concerns?
Natalya: Absolutely. We understand the emotional weight that these grave markers carry for families. The city is responsible for maintaining the cemetery, and we do conduct regular clean-ups to keep the area tidy. However, the issue of the fallen crosses is more complex.
Interviewer: I can imagine. What specifically complicates the removal of these crosses?
Natalya: The primary complication is ownership. We need to identify who owns the plots in the cemetery. Our department consulted with the Department of Architecture and Planning, and they advised that we cannot remove or raise the crosses until their owners are established. For now, if they are obstructing access for maintenance, we can only shift them slightly.
Interviewer: That does sound complicated. Is there any initiative in place to identify the owners of the plots, or is that something residents might assist with?
Natalya: We are currently conducting an inventory of the old cemeteries, including Petrovsky, which will help in identifying ownership. We understand this is a challenging process that requires careful consideration, and we appreciate the community’s patience. The involvement of residents could be beneficial, as they may have historical or personal insights regarding plot ownership.
Interviewer: It sounds like a community effort is essential here. While the city’s responsibility is clear, how can residents help in promoting better maintenance of these sites?
Natalya: Residents can play a vital role by reporting issues they observe. Whether it’s fallen crosses, littering, or other maintenance problems, their feedback is essential for our department to respond effectively. Additionally, they could organize volunteer days to help tidy up the cemetery and honor their loved ones, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Interviewer: That’s a proactive approach. It’s touching to hear how the community can come together to preserve their loved ones’ memories. As a final note, what message would you like to convey to the Narva residents regarding this situation?
Natalya: I want to assure them that we are committed to addressing these concerns. We value their input and are dedicated to honoring the memories of those interred at Petrovsky Cemetery. Together, through communication, cooperation, and community involvement, we can improve the cemetery and ensure it remains a respectful space for all.
Interviewer: Thank you, Natalya, for sharing your insights and plans regarding Petrovsky Cemetery. We appreciate your commitment to this sensitive issue and look forward to seeing improvements in the area.
Natalya: Thank you for having me. It’s been an important and meaningful discussion.
Interviewer: And to our viewers, thank you for joining us in this conversation. Let’s support each other as we honor and remember the past.