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

Yablanovo and Filaretovo honour victims of communist assimilation campaign

Photo: desehistory.com

The villages of Yablanovo and Filaretovo will today hold a memorial ceremony for the victims of the forced renaming of Bulgarian Turks during the so-called "revival process" a campaign of forced assimilation under communism, in which people of Turkish origin were ordered to change their names to Bulgarian.

On 17, 18 and 19 January 1985, riots broke out in Yablanovo, with local people blocking the roads to the village. The riots were put down after the intervention of armoured troops from the Third Bulgarian Army. Eight people died, including a baby, hundreds were beaten and arrested, and 517 residents were sent to the Belene concentration camp.
Four decades after the crimes against the Bulgarian Turks, there have been no convictions.



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

President Radev: The path to finding peace in Ukraine will be a very difficult and complex process

The war in Ukraine has no military solution and diplomacy should prevail, said President Rumen Radev, who hosted the traditional annual reception for the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Bulgaria. At the event, held at the National History..

published on 1/31/25 8:51 AM
View of Cherni Vrah, 1932

120 years since the first winter climb of Mount Vitosha’s Cherni Vrah

On this day in 1905, 15 enthusiasts, university students, climbed the highest peak in Mount Vitosha near Sofia, in winter for the first time – Cherni Vrah peak (2,290 m.) The young people started out at noon on 30 January, 1905 from the..

published on 1/31/25 7:35 AM

Pavel Banya hosts international conference of vertebrology

The popular spa treatment resort Pavel Banya is hosting the second international conference of vertebrology. This year, the forum, taking place 31 January-2 February, will focus on “Degenerative diseases of the spine - principles of diagnostics..

published on 1/31/25 7:25 AM