NEWS

The presidents of Bulgaria and Israel commemorated the 70th anniversary of the saving of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II

2013-03-06 15:23:00

President Rosen Plevneliev and the Head of state of Israel Shimon Peres took part in the official ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels which commemorated the 70th anniversary of the saving of the Bulgarian Jews during World War II. A documentary exhibition under the title of “A difficult choice of great significance: the fate of the Bulgarian Jews” was opened.  Two heads of state, Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov, EU commissioner Kristalina Georgieva and MEPs were present at the ceremony.

“Today we are paying tribute to the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust and we remember those who lost their lives in these dark historical moments,” President Rosen Plevneliev said in his speech. The head of state added that in the Holocaust museums the figure pointing out the number of  Holocaust victims placed against the name of Bulgaria is zero. “Moreover, Bulgaria is the only state in which the Jewish population increased during that period,” the President emphasized.

“The exceptional examples of bravery and the acts of humanity in history should never be forgotten and they should be reconfirmed over and over again,” the head of state further added. He said that saving the Bulgarian Jews was an achievement of the Bulgarian civil society, which supported the cause for defending its close acquaintances, friends and neighbors. “I am proud to be President of a nation that showed bravery and opposed the dark forces of humiliation and achieved such a unique historical feat”, President Plevneliev further added.   Real human fates are behind the photos included in the exhibition and this fact should not be forgotten, the head of state said and presented Shimon Peres with a plaquette designed especially for the anniversary.  Rosen Plevneliev added that unfortunately Bulgaria was not in a position to save the Jews deported from Northern Greece and parts of Yugoslavia as they did not hold Bulgarian passports and were not Bulgarian citizens.

Israeli President Shimon Peres thanked the Bulgarian people for the unique example they set in history, saving the Bulgarian Jews. Under President Peres’ words, this act shows “a real combination of courage and unity”.  “We were born equal to live as equal, we were born in peace to live in peace,” President Peres addressed the guests of the event.

In Brussels President Rosen Plevneliev will have working meetings with Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, with Jose Barroso, president of the European Commission, with Kristalina Georgieva, Bulgarian EU commissioner and with Martin Shultz, president of the European Parliament. 

MORE FROM NEWS

Rumen Radev: Success Has Accompanied Bulgarian Diplomacy When It Was Not Subject to Narrow Party Interests and Followed Clearly Formulated National Goals

22 July 2025 | 22:10
When asymmetric actions are applied to our country, we should expand our diplomatic toolset to protect national interests and, above all, the rights of our compatriots abroad, the president says on the occasion of the Day of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Service

President Rumen Radev met with representatives of Czech company Aero Vodochody

16 July 2025 | 16:04
The meeting was also attended by H.E. Miroslav Toman, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria

Radev: The Main Challenge Facing the Armed Forces Is How to Transform the Political Will and the Funds Received into Adequate Defence Capabilities in the Most Effective Way

16 July 2025 | 16:04
Head of State meets with the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

At the Bulgarian Military Cemetery in Vukovar, President Radev Paid Tribute to Bulgarian Officers and Soldiers Who Perished in the Final Stage of World War II.

15 July 2025 | 15:03
The Bulgarian head of state thanks the Croatian state for its efforts to preserve the memory of the dead

ОТКРИТО УПРАВЛЕНИЕ

e-ДОКУМЕНТИ

BULGARIAN CHRISTMAS

SUPPORT A DREAM

JOHN ATANASOFF AWARD

CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY


Useful links