News - USA, Chicago, Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria

The Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Chicago organized a public lecture dedicated to the 83rd anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during the Second World War. The event was organized in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago and the American Jewish Committee (AJC Chicago).

The guest speaker was Professor Joseph Benatov of the University of Pennsylvania, who presented a historical overview of the events related to the rescue of Bulgarian Jews and the significance of this act in the context of the Holocaust.

In his welcoming remarks, the Consul General of Israel in Chicago, Elad Strohmayer, noted that the rescue of Bulgarian Jews remains “a unique moment in the darkest chapter of Jewish history,” emphasizing the role of members of parliament, religious leaders, intellectuals, and citizens who opposed the deportation of their Jewish compatriots. According to him, their courage saved tens of thousands of lives.

In his address, the Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Chicago, Svetoslav Stankov, stated that the rescue of Bulgarian Jews represents an example of civic resistance grounded in moral values and solidarity. He emphasized that the rescuers stood on the side of morality and justice, refusing to divide society along ethnic or religious lines.

The Consul General also highlighted the importance of preserving historical memory and the need for society to oppose all forms of intolerance and hate speech. He noted that the story of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews should be shared with future generations as a lesson in courage, solidarity, and humanity.

The event brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as members of the Jewish and Bulgarian communities in Chicago, and formed part of broader initiatives dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and promoting awareness of the historical example of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews.