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Anti-Semitism and Bulgaria

Alexander Malinov, Former Prime Minister – “Bulgarian Jews are pleased with us, and we – with them, because they are good and loyal fellow-citizens. Such is the situation in fact, and so there has never been, nor there is going to be, any serious anti - Jewish movement. The efforts of individual persons or political cliques to create such a movement will not succeed. Anti-Semitism does not belong with our nation”.

Sofia, 1937.

Dimo Kazasov, Former Minister – “And if we, Bulgarians, have held, hold and will hold the plight of a homeless nation such as the Jewish in deepest respect, that is because we, as a people, have also born the burden of its plight. This respect is also a respect for the sufferings of our own national soul.”

Sofia, 1937.

Andrey Lyapchev, Former Prime Minister – “It is not possible for our Jewish fellow-citizens not to enjoy all rights and benefits which we enjoy, if they also bear all burdens. The equality of all citizens of a state is a basic principle of democracy. Creating differences, disputes and antagonism between the majority and the minority has always been condemnable and criminal.”

Sofia, 1937.

Dr. Ilia Palazov, Senior Presidents of the Union of Populdr Banks – “Already as a child I had Jewish friends and today I have friends among the Jews. I have understood in the course of such friendship that Jews are true friends and that they consider themselves good and true Bulgarians,. That is why I don’t believe that anti-Semitic movement can grow in Bulgaria.”

Sofia, 1937.

Nikola Mushanov – Former Prime Minister – “Anti-Semitism is not thriving, because it has no breeding ground here. Bulgarians are a democratic people by nature and have no sympathy for xenophobia. There have been out rages committee against Jews by individual anti-Semitic elements. But those are isolated cases explained by the fact that there are Bulgarians who and persecute Bulgarians.”

Sofia, 1937.

Dr. Asen Zlatarov, Professor – “There is no anti-Semitic question here which comes to show that we have not been infected with the “racial superiority” virus. Our Jews are loyal citizens who bear hardships and enjoy rights alike and have proven their loyalty to their country and their people.”

Sofia, 1937.

Andrey Nikolov, sculptor – “To me there are only humans. Any division of people by religion, race, nation is absurd. I am convinced that there will come a time, provided that humanity continues to progress spiritually, when future generations will look upon such qualifications in the same way we look at other dangerous aberrations from the past.”
Sofia, 1937.

Stefan Makedonski, opera singer
“Racism is abnormal movement even uncultured, I can say. There are no “superior” and “inferior’ people. There are only humans on Earth. The racist movement in Germany has been triggered by social factors. That is why whenever I hear of persecution against famous people only because of their nationality my conscience revolts, my human consciousness protests and I feel myself humiliated as a person.”

Sofia, 1937.

Elin Pelin, writer
“Every person, every people, every race, every living human being has the right to live on Earth. The Jewish race , hardy and capable, as it is has proven that it deserves respect for giving a lot to civilization, to science, to art, to philosophy and economy – all spheres characteristic of human progress. Anti-Semitism is an act of barbarism.”

Sofia, 1937.
 

Opinions of the Bulgarian society on Racism and anti – Semitism. The first interview of its kind, conducted by Buko Piti with 60 eminent representatives of Bulgarian social life , science, literature and art. Sofia, 1937.
The main questions Piti asks were:
- What do you think of racism as theory and practice?
- How do you explain anti-Semitism?
- What is your opinion of Jews in general, and of Bulgarian Jews in particular?
Central National Archives
Fund1 366B, Inventory 1, Record Unit 1699, title page.

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