Bulgarian Leaders, Scholars Urge Stronger Holocaust Education as Antisemitism Rises

Jerusalem, 27 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – International Holocaust Remembrance Day was marked with a commemorative ceremony organized by the Hebrew Studies Program at the Faculty of History of Sofia University (SU) “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Rectorate of Sofia University in Sofia.

“At a time when antisemitism is at its highest level in decades and is becoming increasingly violent, we must strengthen Holocaust education, not retreat from it,” said Prof. Rumyana Christidi, head of the Hebrew Studies program, who opened the event. “As historians and as human beings, we feel a moral duty to preserve historical truth. I am proud that Bulgaria is a country where such commemorative events are free, open, dignified and, as you can see, very well attended,” she added.

Retired Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Berievski stressed the importance of historical memory. “The Holocaust remains a constant reminder of the dangers of hatred, intolerance and racism. It is also a lesson for all of humanity that it is never too early to stand up to hate speech and hate crimes,” he said.

He pointed out that despite the traditionally low levels of anti-Semitism in the country, we must remain vigilant, act together and quickly to stop the hatred.

The event was also attended by the Director of the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tanya Mihaylova, the Dean of the Faculty of History of Sofia University Prof. Mira Markova, the President of the Federation of Zionists in Bulgaria Nikolay Galabov, the Ambassador of Israel Yossi Levi Sfari, the Ambassador of Argentina Alejandro Meyer, representatives of other diplomatic missions, the scientific and academic community, students from 134th Primary School “Dimcho Debelyanov” and the Central Secondary School “Ronald Lauder.” Among the guests were Rumyana Bachvarova, Deputy Prime Minister in the period 2014-2017 and Minister of Interior (2015 to 2017) and Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Minister of Interior (2009-2013).

Israeli Ambassador Yossi Levi Sfari stressed that the Holocaust would not have been possible without support for it, and for this reason, education against hate is extremely important. He noted Bulgaria’s unique role in saving Jews during World War II. “Bulgaria’s history is unique because there were enough people who said: ‘Not in my society, not in my country, this will not happen here.’ In some cases, these people even risked their lives,” the diplomat emphasized. In conclusion, he called for an active fight against anti-Semitism throughout the world.

Nikolay Galabov, president of the Federation of Zionists in Bulgaria, addressed the young people in the audience. “You, boys and girls, young people, students, your knowledge, your way of reading history, you can stop the cycle of hatred,” he said.

All participants in the ceremony lit commemorative candles in memory of the victims. After the commemoration, the film “The World Will Tremble”, filmed in Bulgaria and produced by Philip Roth, who was present at the event, was screened.

January 27, the anniversary of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp’s liberation by Soviet soldiers in 1945, was designated as International Holocaust Remembrance Day by the United Nations. Six million Jews in Europe and North Africa were systematically killed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II.