27.05.2018
The Prime Ministers of Bulgaria and Ukraine Boyko Borissov and Volodymyr Groysman launched the Dimitar Peshev Square and a memorial plate for the Bulgarian politician'. The ceremony was also attended by the mayors of the two capitals - Yordanka Fandakova and Vitaly Klitschko.
In March, in relation to the 75th anniversary of the salvation of Bulgarian Jews and at the initiative of our embassy in Ukraine, the Kyiv Council adopted the decision whereby a small square in the center of the capital was named after the man who contributed the most for the rescue of Bulgarian Jews. A memorial plate will remind about the merits of Dimitar Peshev and the contribution of the Bulgarian people.
"Bulgaria is the only state that has saved its Jews - more than 50,000. In this way we want to show once more how humane and strong the Bulgarian people are, and how in the dark times Bulgarian managed to protect its Jews," Prime Minister Borissov said, and thanked the Ukrainian people, the local government and Prime Minister Groysman for this initiative.
The Ukrainian Prime Minister stressed that the work done by Dimitar Peshev should be remembered. "There comes a time for everyone to decide how to act. We know the deeds of Dimitar Peshev and his courage to take such a step in times of hard trials," said Volodymyr Groysman.
During the events of 1943, Dimitar Peshev is Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Together with a further 42 members of parliament, he sent a protest letter to Prime Minister Bogdan Filov against the planned deportation. He was the threatened by his enemies that he would be handed over to the Gestapo but did not change his position. He was expelled from Parliament, but the goal was achieved. On March 10, 1943, the trains prepared for the deportation of the Bulgarian Jews did not leave.
