Burgas residents gathered in front of the Monument of Gratitude to mark today's 83rd anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews, announced the Alef Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation.
The memory of more than 11,000 Jews from Aegean Thrace, Vardar Macedonia and Pirot, who lost their lives in Nazi death camps, was also honored. Wreaths and flowers were laid by the Alef Center, Burgas Municipality, Geo Milev English Language High School, and representatives of the Jewish community in the city.
Bulgaria wrote its name in the history of mankind as the only country that saved its compact Jewish community during the Holocaust. This act remains as an eternal example of solidarity and humanism over any dictatorship, ethnic and religious opposition, as well as ideological division, said the chairman of the Alef Center, Alberta Alkalay.
BTA recalls that in Burgas, the date is traditionally marked every year with an official ceremony in front of the Monument of Gratitude. The Center for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation pointed out that this year's official ceremony was canceled following a recommendation from state institutions in connection with the war in the Middle East.
Last year, the monument in Burgas was desecrated twice. Then, Alberta Alkalay commented to BTA that such manifestations are a worrying signal and require a categorical reaction from society and institutions.
The memorial plaque was placed ten years ago by the Alef Center and descendants of Bulgarian Jews saved during the Holocaust.
The memorial plaque is dedicated to the residents of Burgas, who in 1943 opposed the deportation of their fellow Jewish citizens to the death camps.