Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

35 years after the fall of communism in Bulgaria:

Monuments to the totalitarian past stand, but few memorials honour the victims

published on 11/10/24 7:45 AM

On this day 35 years ago, the authoritarian regime of communist dictator Todor Zhivkov collapsed. To mark the anniversary, the BGNES news agency carried out a survey of monuments to totalitarianism. The agency checked whether the monuments of the totalitarian past still adorn the central squares of towns and villages, and concludes that Bulgaria remains captive to its past.

The monument to the Soviet soldier Alyosha in Plovdiv.

"Most of these monuments are very well maintained and some are even decorated with wreaths and flowers. Apparently Bulgarians do not want to part with their communist past 35 years after November 10, 1989, even though it brought so much misery to Bulgaria with its repressive apparatus," the agency said.

The monument to the Soviet soldier Alyosha in Ruse.

Monument to Dimitar Blagoev, founder of the Marxist Bulgarian Social Democratic Party, in Vidin.

The publication recalls that the so-called People's Court alone handed down 2 730 death sentences and more than 1 300 life sentences to opponents of the regime, not counting the estimated 20 000 victims of the terror after 9 September 1944.

The Buzludzha monument

"And while there are monuments to the partisans, there are almost none to those who died after 9 September 1944, or if there are, they are much more modest and hidden in remote places," concludes BGNES.

Photos: BGNES, Radio Vidin

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

Radio Bulgaria Life 11 november anniversary communism monuments

More from category

Cardiovascular conditions are the main cause of death in Bulgaria

According to the Annual Report on the Health Status of Bulgarian Citizens for 2023, t he main cause of death in Bulgaria is diseases of the cardiovascular system (61.1%), followed by oncological diseases (16.5%) and diseases of the respiratory system..

published on 11/28/24 1:57 PM

WWF Bulgaria draws attention to bear conservation

In the week of St. Andrew’s Day (also known as Bears’ Day or Mechkinden), WWF is drawing attention to six orphaned bear cubs who have been given a second chance at life. The initiative is part of the "Subscribe to Nature" campaign and..

published on 11/27/24 11:28 AM

Bulgarian Posts are expecting children's letters to Santa Claus

For the 30th consecutive year, the Bulgarian Posts organize a contest for the most beautiful letter to Santa Claus. Letters must be sent by 18 December with a stamped envelope "For Santa", the sender's address indicated and postage paid. All..

published on 11/26/24 8:05 AM

1
..
5
6
7
8
9
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly Cloudy
Min: -3 | Max: 2

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

MOST VIEWED

Residents of village of Zmeyovo celebrate pelin wine whose recipe they jealously guard

The village of Zmeyovo near the town of Stara Zagora is celebrating today, December 21, its traditional Festival of Pelin Wine. According to an..

published on 12/21/24 9:25 AM

Christmas tales made of glass, or how a forgotten tradition is revived

Each piece evokes warmth and nostalgia because each is handmade and unique. The silvery reflections on the glass baubles take us back to childhood, when..

published on 12/21/24 8:10 AM

Knitting enthusiasts unite in a community to preserve the traditional craft

The making of knitted products is a traditional craft that deserves a revival and a new life, believes Alexandrina Pandurska, known for her numerous..

published on 12/22/24 9:05 AM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking