Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria marks the International Day in memory of the victims of the Holocaust

On today's memorial date - January 27, the world community pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. It was on this date, in 1945, when the Soviet army liberated the few survivors of the concentration camp Auschwitz (Oswiecim-Birkenau, in Poland), the atrocities of the Nazis in the death camps became public knowledge, and the liberated Auschwitz camp became a symbol of the Nazi genocide. 

60 years later, in 2005, the date was declared by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Then the Secretary General of the organization described the day as "an important reminder of the universally relevant lessons of the Holocaust -  this unprecedented manifestation of evil that should not simply be left in the past and passed into oblivion".

Today, this day is already observed by more and more countries, paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and the liberation of the most horrific Nazi death camp, Auschwitz. This year, however, the heirs of the liberators are not invited to the commemoration of the 78th anniversary of the liberation of the Jews in the Polish city. To AFP, the spokesman of the Auschwitz museum, Piotr Cywinski, noted that representatives of Russia were not invited to the commemoration because of its aggression against independent Ukraine.

In Sofia, the memory of the victims is being commemorated with a film week from January 26 to 31 at the Odeon cinema, which recalls in special thematic screenings the dark events of the time of Nazism. The aim of the initiative of the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria "Shalom" together with the Master of Art International Film Festival and the support of Sofia Municipality is to present to the general public the fate of various Jews during the Second World War. The free screenings present different perspectives and personal stories from Europe's not-so-distant dark past.

The date will also be marked by the representatives of the Bulgarian Anti-Fascist Union in Sofia, who will honor the victims and lay flowers and wreaths in front of the monument to the Soviet Army.





Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The "Love and Wine" festival combines traditions in the center of Sofia

From February 14 to 16, an event under the motto "Love and Wine" will allow Sofia residents and guests of the city to combine the Bulgarian holiday of wine Trifon Zarezan with Valentine's Day. It will be held on the pedestrian zone..

published on 2/14/25 5:55 AM

Climatologist Professor Georgi Rachev: The state of the air unites us all

World Radio Day - 13 February, this year is dedicated to climate change. The choice is no coincidence—2025 has been identified by the Paris Agreement as a crucial year for humanity to achieve its long-term goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of..

published on 2/13/25 7:45 AM

Boycotting chain stores in Bulgaria – what the public can expect

“On 13 February this year, Bulgarian consumers must not shop at any of the grocery stores, at any of the chain stores, at any of the supermarkets! On 13 February grocery stores must be left empty, with not a single buyer in them,” the organizers..

updated on 2/12/25 4:23 PM