Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

30 years since the historic visit to Bulgaria by Francois Mitterrand

Photo: French embassy in Bulgaria

It is 30 years today since the historic visit to Bulgaria by French President Francois Mitterrand which gave an impetus to the democratic processes in the country.

During his visit in January 1989, President Mitterrand invited 12 Bulgarian dissident intellectuals to breakfast at the French embassy in Sofia, among them the future first democratically elected President of Bulgaria Zhelyu Zhelev. At their meeting they discussed the problems of societal development in Bulgaria, as well as the persecution the opponents of the regime were subjected to. Later, Francois Mitterrand met with Bulgarian students at the St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia.

President Mitterrand’s meeting with Bulgarian intellectuals is regarded as a key moment in the overthrowal of the Todor Zhivkov communist regime in Bulgaria, which took place in November of the same year. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

PM Zhelyazkov heads the Bulgarian delegation at the funeral of Pope Francis

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will lead the Bulgarian delegation to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome , Italy, the Cabinet’s press office announced. The delegation also includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications..

published on 4/26/25 8:05 AM

24 May declared Bulgarian Heritage Day in Las Vegas for the third year in a row

May 24 will be declared Bulgarian Heritage Day by the Mayor of Las Vegas, Shelley Berkley, Bulgaria's Consulate General in Los Angeles announced. The official meeting between the new mayor of the largest and most popular city in the state of Nevada..

published on 4/26/25 7:55 AM

More afternoon showers over the weekend

On Saturday lows will be between 5 and 10°C, around 7°C in Sofia. Before noon it will be mostly sunny and calm. In the afternoon there will be isolated showers and thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures will be between 20 and 25°C, around 21°C in the..

published on 4/25/25 7:05 PM