site.btaSofia Commemorates Victims of Communism
A wreath-laying ceremony in central Sofia Saturday honoured the victims of the communist regime. Eighty years ago, on the night of February 1 to 2, 1945, just hours after hearing their death sentences from the "People's Court", 100 men were shot dead.
Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev emphasized the importance of reflecting on history: "It is crucial to understand what has happened in 80 years. If we do not want the heirs of this regime and its legacy to persist today, we must know how to act as a society." He stressed that preserving the memory of past violence requires daily efforts to uphold a democratic state and a democratic society.
Georgiev also expressed hope that Parliament would pass legislation to remove communist symbols and monuments.
Martin Dimitrov MP of Continue the Change -Democratic Bulgaria warned of the dangers of historical ignorance: "We must remember the communist era and pass this knowledge on to the younger generations to prevent a similar dictatorship in the future." He noted that educational materials on the topic are insufficient.
Valentin Tonchev, Deputy Chair of Democracy, Rights and Freedoms, highlighted the significance of the anniversary, saying: "Eighty years after one of the darkest periods in Bulgarian history, we must remember that freedom is sacred. Today, we honour those who paid the highest price for freedom and democracy." He added that at a time when wars and conflicts persist in Europe, society must cherish and defend its freedom.
Father Petar Pokrovski said: "Eighty years ago today, the nation's elite was murdered brutally with stakes and shovels, hands tied, and left in ravines and forests. In just 40 days, 370 clergymen were executed."
Since 2011, by a government decision, February 1 has been officially marked as the Day of Gratitude and Homage to the Victims of the Communist Regime, on an initiative by former Presidents Zhelyu Zhelev (1990-1997) and Petar Stoyanov (1997-2002).
/DD/
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