School No. 1 in Beslan to become a memorial complex

School No. 1 in Beslan, where hostages were taken, will become a memorial complex; and the school building will be preserved such as it is already for five years.

The presentation of the project took place on August 24 in the Palace of Culture in Beslan.

"We've accepted the project for the first time. Our main condition was to keep the school in the condition as it remained in history since September 3, 2004. Unfortunately, during these five years, the environment was even more destructive than terrorists; therefore, we also demanded to make conservation and strengthen the whole school building," said Susanna Dudieva, leader of the organization "Beslan Mothers".

The German Company "Knauf Kasse" will be in charge of restoration and preservation of the school building; it was decided to cover the structures with a sort of a hood. "Both the school and the gym will remain as they are. We are very grateful that our wishes were heard and respected," Ms Dudieva said.

The issue of building a memorial in the place of the tragedy was long discussed in the republic. There were proposals to build a temple instead of school ruins, but the victims - both members of "Beslan Mothers" and activists of the other organization named the "Voice of Beslan" - were categorically against demolition of the schools.

One of the victims' reasons was that the investigation of the Beslan terror act is not over yet; and demolition of the building could liquidate the possible remaining proofs and evidences. Besides, the school is a reminder to the authorities of what had happened and what should never repeat.