Bulgaria marks the Day of Rescue of Bulgarian Jews

March 10 marks 79 years since the rescue of Bulgarian Jews from the concentration camps in 1943.

The commemoration ceremony on the occasion of the Day of the Rescue of the Bulgarian Jews and the Tribute to the Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust took place at the Monument of Salvation in Sofia.

Wreaths and flowers at the Monument of Salvation in Sofia marked 79 years since the rescue of Bulgarian Jews. The wreaths were presented by Holocaust survivors and young children so that the lesson of the past is passed on to future generations and never forgotten.

More than 11,300 Jews from Northern Greece, Vardar Macedonia and Pirot who were deported to the "death camps" were honoured. Members of the public, families with children, the President of the National Assembly and representatives of the Jewish community in Bulgaria attended the ceremony at the memorial.

"The people have shown that they do not accept or allow persecution and extermination regardless of ethnicity. Today this is an example and shows us that in difficult moments we show courage. We remember those from Northern Greece, Vardar Macedonia and Pirot. It makes us remember and oppose xenophobia. This is the only way the memory of those who died will not be forgotten," said Parliament Speaker Nikola Minchev.

"Bulgaria gave the world a lesson in humanity. Bulgarians showed that human life is the most important. What we can learn from history is to choose good over evil. The Bulgarians sent a message to the future generations that people can make the change", added Ambassador of the State of Israel in Bulgaria, HE Yoram Elrom.

"Today we are aware of the responsibility that we have, that we can always say no when people are suffering," said Shalom Chairman Alexander Oscar.

images by Milena Kirova, BGNES