Text size

104 years since the annexation of the Western Outlands

published on 11/5/24 6:39 PM

The signing of the Treaty of Neuilly, 1919.

Photo: Archive

Today, 6 November, marks 104 years since the annexation of the Western Outlands in 1920. Traditionally Bulgarian territories in south-eastern Serbia and northern Macedonia were ceded to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in 1920 as a result of the Treaty of Neuilly (1919).

Between 6 and 8 November 1920, without waiting for the international commission to determine the exact new border with Bulgaria that their government wanted, Serbian troops occupied parts of the regions of Tsaribrod, Bosilegrad, Kula and Tran.

Marking the new border line near Belogradchik. Photo: Personal archive of Nikolai Tomov from Vidin

An area of 1,545 square kilometres with a population of 64,509 was taken from Bulgaria. The new border cut through 25 Bulgarian villages, dividing houses, yards, fields, springs, wells, cemeteries, roads, families, relatives and friends. As a result of these events, more than 30,000 Bulgarians emigrated to Bulgaria, and later about 5,000 of them emigrated to Western Europe and America, according to the Cultural Information Centre (CIC) "Bosilegrad".

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion 104 annexation western outlands

More from category

The monument at Petrova Niva in Strandzha in honor of the heroes of the Ilinden-Preobrazhensko Uprising

On the sacrifice and redemption in the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising

The revival of Bulgarian statehood after five centuries of Ottoman rule is connected with the April Uprising of 1876 and the Internal Revolutionary Organization previously created by Vasil Levski. After the Treaty of Berlin of 1878, the Bulgarians..

published on 7/20/25 9:43 AM

Saint Elijah’s Day: one of Bulgaria's most revered summer festivals

On 20 July (according to the Gregorian calendar), the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the Old Testament prophet Elijah, known in Bulgaria as Sveti Iliya. Celebrated as Ilinden, this day is one of the most venerated summer festivals in Bulgaria and is..

published on 7/20/25 8:15 AM

Underwater archaeologists reveal the secrets of Taukliman Bay on Bulgaria's northern Black Sea coast

Underwater archaeological research has been completed in Taukliman Bay (also known as Bird Bay) , located about 6 km northeast of Cape Kaliakra. Dozens of archaeological sites of great historical value have been located in its vicinity: caves used in..

published on 7/14/25 9:46 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 18 | Max: 28

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil holds the festive liturgy at the Rila Monastery

On the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery...

published on 8/18/25 12:40 PM

St. John of Rila and St. John of Kronstadt – two great saints united in love for people

Today, August 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Dormition of St. John of Rila – the heavenly patron of Bulgaria. He is the..

published on 8/18/25 9:30 AM

Share