site.btaMonument to Bulgarian Jews Rescuer Dimitar Ikonomov Unveiled in Dupnitsa

Justice Minister Atanas Slavov, the Chairman of the Shalom Organization of Jews in Bulgaria, Prof. Alexander Oscar, Kyustendil Regional Governor Aleksandar Pandurski, Dupnitsa Mayor Metodi Chimev and the head of the local Shalom Chapter Leonid Hazday opened here on Tuesday a monument to Dimitar Ikonomiv, who is regarded as one of the saviors of Jews in Bulgaria during WWII.

Ikonomiv was one of the 43 MPs, headed by the National Assembly Chair, Dimitar Peshev, who on March 17, 1943 signed a petition addressed to then Prime Minister Bogdan Filov, in which they declare their support for the protection of Bulgarian Jews. The MPs make the plans to deport Bulgaria's Jews to Nazi death camps public, show their factual illegitimacy and undermine the antisemitic actions of the pro-Hitler government in Bulgaria at the time. Building the monument to Dimitar Ikonomov was proposed by Leonid Harzay and Shalom's Deputy Chair. It was erected in Dupnitsa's city park, where it stands a few metres away from Ikonomov's house. The monument was made by sculptor Boyko Mitkov.

"I am honoured to be part of this ceremony. Ikonomov himself is proof that morals are stronger than the government, that the open public stance is more important than institutional hierarchies, and that even in the darkest of times, we must believe in the love for mankind, to show tolerance, seek understanding and not escalate tensions," Justice Minister Slavov told BTA during the ceremony.

He noted that it was precisely Dimitar Ikonomov who set the beginning of the process of the Bulgarian Jews' rescue, which is being celebrated today. "Despite being an MP from the then ruling majority, he stood up against his own party's line and government and backed justice, philanthropy and his fellow citizens and compatriots - the Bulgarian Jews," Slavov further said. He noted the importance of remembering this and not forgetting it, just as it is important to counter any attempts at revising history. "For the attempts to belittle the contribution of people like Ikonomov, Peshev, Exarch Stefan, Metropolitan Kiril, the numerous intellectuals, public figures and lawyers, by claiming that the State had saved the Jews. Unfortunately, if it were up to the State, it would have deported them," Slavov said.