The Day of the Rescue of Bulgarian Jews, Holocaust Victims, and Crimes Against Humanity was commemorated in Chicago with a special ceremony at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. The event featured a discussion emphasizing the significance of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II—a remarkable act that showcased the humanity, tolerance, and commitment to justice of the Bulgarian people.

Rob Romanov, President of the Board of Directors at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, expressed gratitude to the Bulgarian nation for their courageous efforts to save their fellow Jews during the darkest times of the Holocaust. As part of the commemoration, Daniel Peev, a 12th-grade student at Hinsdale Central High School, presented an essay on the rescue of Bulgarian Jews, highlighting it as an inspiring example of how to combat modern forms of anti-Semitism and extremism.

In recognition of his exceptional civic valor and self-sacrifice in resolving an incident involving Jewish students at DePaul University in Chicago, Ivan Ganchev was awarded an Honorable Diploma by Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Georg Georgiev. His efforts were commended by Michael Kaminsky, Vice President of Students Supporting Israel, and Stoyan Dechev, his history teacher.

A wreath was laid at the plaque of Exarch Stefan and Patriarch Cyril in honor of their efforts to save Bulgarian Jews and in remembrance of the 11,343 Jews from the territories of Northern Greece and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia who perished in Nazi death camps. Consul General Svetoslav Stankov stated, “We deeply mourn these victims of the Holocaust and will never forget them!”