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

Politicians and citizens mark the 82nd anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews

March of Tolerance ''We Remember''
Photo: BTA

An official ceremony and a March of Tolerance named ''We Remember'' took place in Sofia to mark the 82nd anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews and to honor the memory of Jews who died in the Nazi death camps.

This date was chosen because of the so-called Kyustendil Action of 1943, through which, with the help of local politicians, public figures and Bulgarian metropolitans, a request was made to the authorities to oppose the deportation of Bulgarian Jews to Nazi camps. As a result, all 50,000 Bulgarian Jews were saved, which is a unique case during World War II.

"Eight-two years separate us from those memorable events, when, in an atmosphere of oppression, totalitarian darkness and horrors, Bulgarians from all walks of life—clergy, politicians, public figures and ordinary people- raised their voices to defend the right of their compatriots to live", said Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov. "Today is a lesson on how each of us should act in difficult moments", said Alexander Oscar, Chairman of the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria "Shalom".

The procession was led by National Assembly Speaker Natalia Kiselova, Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev, MPs, Alexander Oscar, Chairman of the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria "Shalom" and the Ambassador of Israel to Bulgaria, Yosi Levi Sfari. 



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

Rumen Radev (left) and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met in Antalya last year.

Bulgarian and Turkish presidents Radev and Erdogan discuss illegal migration and joint action in phone call

President Rumen Radev and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity between Bulgaria and Turkey during a phone call, the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency reported, citing the presidential..

published on 6/1/25 10:55 AM
Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev (L).

The Second Site of the Belene concentration camp is crumbling, yet the state remains inactive

For 36 years, no government has taken action to preserve the Second Site — the main location of the Belene concentration camp on Persin Island. It remains the most authentic memorial to the thousands of victims of the totalitarian communist regime — and..

published on 6/1/25 10:19 AM

The economic centre of Bulgaria’s Northwest Vratsa celebrates feast day

Vratsa and its environs have, in recent years, asserted themselves as the economic centre of Bulgaria’s Northwestern region. According to latest National Statistical Institute data, which include 2023, the region of Vratsa is third in the country in..

published on 6/1/25 7:25 AM