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

February 1, Day of Remembrance and Respect to Victims of the Communist Regime

2
The memorial wall near the Palace of Culture in Sofia
Photo: BGNES

February 1 is Day of Remembrance and Respect to Victims of the Communist Regime in Bulgaria.

On this day, in 1945, 3 regents, 67 MPs, cabinet ministers, generals, colonels and bankers were sentenced to death and were shot on the same day. The “people’s tribunals” issued more than 10,000 sentences in 131 trials. 2,600 people were sentenced to death, over 200 more were killed even before their formal trials. Thousands lie in unmarked graves, murdered without trial or sentence.

Today, the public paid tribute to the victims of communism at the chapel and the memorial wall in the centre of Sofia. Commemoration events and memorial church services were held at the Sunny Beach concentration camp near Lovech, as well as at the concentration camp on Persin or Belene island, and in many regional towns.

President Rumen Radev also paid tribute to the victims of communism in Sofia.



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.

Gallery

More from category

St John of Rila – the Miracle-Worker of the Rila Wilderness

On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most influential spiritual centre in Bulgaria. Ivan..

published on 10/19/25 7:30 AM

Father Genadiy from Artsyz: Bulgaria is the root of my heart and my blood

Father Genadiy Martinov is a Bessarabian Bulgarian, born in the village of Devetliy, Odessa province (Ukraine). Two centuries ago, his family lived in Eastern Thrace, near Edirne, but after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829), during a period..

published on 10/18/25 7:15 AM

Grave of young woman dating to 2nd century discovered near village in Southeastern Bulgaria

An intact grave of a young woman dating to the beginning of the 2nd century AD has been discovered by archaeologists near the village of Kapitan Petko Voivoda, Topolovgrad Municipality announced. The team that made the discovery is led by Daniela Agre..

published on 10/16/25 4:08 PM