Defilement of the memorial in Burgas provokes public outrage
"The general wave of antisemitism in Europe, unfortunately, has reached Burgas," said Alberta Alkalay, founder of the Center for Bulgarian-Jewish Cooperation "Aleph" about the desecration of a memorial in the city. The monument, erected in 2014 in honor of Burgas citizens who saved Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust, was defiled with stickers bearing the image of Gen. Hristo Lukov.
"Lukov is a figure followed by youth with Nazi and far-right views. The stickers are placed on the hexagonal star – the Star of David – and on the words expressing our gratitude to the worthy citizens of Burgas who saved Jews during the Holocaust," said Alberta Alkalay to BTA and added: "This is for us a direct message that our activities commemorating the Bulgarian people's feat are unacceptable."
Burgas and Bulgaria—symbols of tolerance
According to her, the act is part of "the general wave of antisemitism in Europe, which, unfortunately, has reached Burgas." "This monument is a symbol of humanism, of the courage to stand against the system and reach out to someone different. Burgas and Bulgaria have always been places without religious hatred; we want to preserve this and set an example for young people," she added.
The case has already been reported to Burgas Municipality, the prosecutor’s office, and law enforcement. "We cannot report every incident, but this act is in the center of Burgas – a city that has always been unifying and a haven for people of different ethnicities. We believe it is unacceptable," said Alkalay.
The monument and historical memory
The monument was built for the 70th anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews. Before its inauguration, research identified the names of 20–30 burgas citizens who protected Jews and prevented their deportation.
Alkalay recalls that similar acts are not isolated: "some 10–15 years ago in front of the courthouse, posters with Hitler’s image were pasted, and swastika graffiti still appear. Until now, these were regarded as acts of vandalism, but this case is more serious. It recalls the act with bloody red hands on the Holocaust memorial in Paris, for which one of the accused was Bulgarian."
Unity against hate
"In a country that saved its Jews, such actions are unacceptable. Bulgarians must unite around unconditional values that are above political differences and protect the memory of this historical act," said Alkalay.
She noted that antisemitic acts have increased in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza: "One motive of antisemites is that all Jews are responsible for what happens in Israel. This is absolutely unacceptable."
"BTA recalls that over the years in Burgas, isolated acts of vandalism with Nazi symbolism—Hitler posters, swastikas, and graffiti—were registered and usually quickly removed by municipal authorities, but perpetrators were rarely found. The worst attack against a Jewish target in the city remains the terrorist bombing at Sarafovo airport in 2012."