Within the framework of the Bulgarian-Norwegian project for countering anti-Semitism, short video materials have been created to serve as a starting point for discussions about the contemporary dimensions of the language of hate, which also arises in direct connection with manifestations of anti-Semitism. In a meeting with 16 participants, we are looking for the supports that will help us break away from the vicious circle of intolerance and altered reality. The historical lessons from the...

A collection of posters created within the framework of the project “Strategic cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in support of Bulgaria’s international commitments to combating anti-Semitism and the preserving Jewish heritage” in partnership between the State Institute for Culture at the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the International Triennial on stage poster - Sofia. The exhibition "Memory and Posters" is dedicated to 80 years since the salvation of the Bulgarian...

“Our Jewish Street” – that’s how Bulgaria’s Jewish leaders referred to their community years ago. And they were right because most Bulgarian towns incorporated a Jewish community, concentrated into a neighbourhood or street known as “Jewish”. This street cut through various towns, but always led to the synagogue, a midrasha or Beit-ama, and preserved the IDENTITY of its inhabitants. For centuries, the Jewish Street accumulated MEMORIES, which sometimes...

The National Archaeological Institute and Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences presents in this exhibition the earliest image of the menorah from Bulgarian lands – a Jewish seven-branched candelabra from the ancient Roman city of Ulpia Oescus, not far from the village of Gigen in Pleven province. In addition to the image of the menorah, the three sides of the 12x15cm block bear symbols and an inscription deciphered by Zlatka Morfova. According to her, this is the only inscription...

By the time of the restoration of the Bulgarian state in 1878, the Jewish communities in Pazardzhik, Dupnitsa, Shumen, Kyustendil and Samokov had built beautiful houses of prayer. Between 1887-1930, the Jewish communities in Plovdiv, Dobrich, Varna, Vidin, Yambol, Burgas, Sofia, Silistra and Gotse Delchev (Nevrokop) also built wonderful synagogues. Today the synagogues in most of these towns no longer exist  “This is the Lord’s door and only the righteous shall enter through...

The other important symbol associated with Jewish identity and Judaism is the six-pointed star. It dates back to the time when the legendary Jewish king David had a star depicted on his shield. It was first used as a universal Jewish symbol in 1354, when King Charles IV granted the Jewish community in Prague the privilege of having its own flag with the Star of David depicted on it. Since the 19th century, it has been used as a symbol of Judaism, analogous to the Christian cross.  The...

  The objects presented in the exhibition from the collection of the Regional Historical Museum - Pazardzhik introduce Jewish religious ceremony. The Torah scroll is kept in the synagogue in a special, richly decorated cabinet - a chest that stands in the eastern part of the temple. This casket (in Bulgaria it is called Aron Akodesh) is covered with a special richly embroidered curtain - a parochet -and, in addition to the plant elements, lions or deer holding a crown may be embroidered...

  The menorah and Megillat Esther displayed are from the stores of the Regional History Museum - Sofia. Information about the menorah was published in the Bulletin of the Consistory in 1932, as well as in Avram Tajer's book ‘Historical Notes on Jewry in Bulgaria and the Municipality of Sofia’. Tajer reports that a delegation made up of Colonel Avram Tajer, Chairman of the Consistory, Dr. Hananel, Rabbi of Sofia, Moises Ben Navon, Joseph Serpir and Aaron Beraha visited...

  Star of David signs to designate persons of Jewish origin, their homes, businesses and industries used from 1942 to 1944. By Order No. 32 of 29 September 1942 of the Commissariat for Jewish Affairs, all Jews over the age of 10 in The Kingdom of Bulgaria were obliged to wear the Star of David, made of bakelite, on the left side of their upper garment. Regional History Museum - Sofia, Regional History Museum - Pazardzhik, State Agency Archives The National History Museum displays...

  The Institute of Ethnology and Folklore with the Ethnographic Museum - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences presents Yakov Levi's Goldsmith's Chest in this exhibition. It was donated to the Institute by Pinkas Benjamin Grandiboule. In 1949, the Pinkas family left for the newly created State of Israel. Before his departure, he donated various objects to the Ethnographic Museum and remained in a cordial relationship with the noted Bulgarian ethnographer Hristo Vakarelski. Pinkas Benjamin...