Sofia Marks Day of the Rescue of Bulgarian Jewry
Jerusalem, 9 March, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – “The Day of the Rescue of Bulgarian Jews is a day of remembrance and responsibility. A responsibility to remember, not to forget the lessons of history and not to compromise with humanity,” said the Mayor of Sofia Vasil Terziev at a ceremony in front of the “Salvation Monument” on the occasion of March 10, when Bulgaria marks 82 years since the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II and honor the memory of the Jews who died in Nazi camps during the Holocaust.
Mayor Terziev also participated in the march of tolerance, which took place from the St. Sophia Cathedral to the Monument of Salvation, together with the Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kilesova, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev, the Ambassador of the State of Israel H.E. Yossi Levi Sfari, the Chairman of the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom” Prof. Dr. Alexander Oskar, many representatives of the Jewish community, politicians, and public figures.
“On this day, we mark 82 years since one of those events that makes us proud as a people, as well as reflect on our duty as a society. 82 years ago, our ancestors faced one of the greatest evils of humanity. At a time when the darkness of war threatened to swallow thousands of innocent lives, ordinary people made an extraordinary choice – they chose courage over fear, solidarity over reconciliation, human life over political convenience,” the mayor said.
“We declare that we remember, that we appreciate the courage of those Bulgarians – deputies, public figures, clergymen, doctors, writers and ordinary citizens who stood against injustice. That we understand the significance of their work not only for the past, but also for the future,” Terziev also stated.
The mayor recalled the words in Dimitar Peshev’s letter at the time, which read: “Such a measure is unacceptable, not only because these people cannot be expelled from Bulgaria, but also because this would be a mischievous measure with grave political consequences… It would put an undeserved stain on Bulgaria’s forehead, which would not only weigh on it morally, but also politically…”
The mayor of Sofia pointed out that on this day we not only celebrate the victory of humanity, but also bow our heads before those 11,000 people who were not saved.
“Bulgaria then showed that it has the strength to be different, that it can stand on the side of good, even when the price is high. Now the question is: do we have the same strength? The world is once again faced with the wall of hatred, with division, with the temptation to point fingers and dig gaps between us,” Terziev added. “today, here, in front of the monument of Salvation, we bear responsibility – to be a voice against hatred, against intolerance, against oblivion.”
Said Terziev, “Sofia is a city with deep roots and strong foundations. We are a city that stands on the side of humanity, peace and justice. We do not just preserve the past – we are obliged to defend it. Because history has left us a clear lesson – evil wins only when good people remain silent. And today, 82 years later, Sofia will not remain silent.”
