Sofia Marks Holocaust Remembrance Day with Education, Memory on Focus

"It's difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality. It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."

With these words of Anne Frank, the young writer who found her death in Auschwitz in 1944, Vanya Kastreva, Deputy Minister of Education, launched the event with which Sofia became part of the ceremonies in memory of the Holocaust victims. The Holocaust Remembrance Day is celebrated every year on 27 January - the date when 70 years ago the Allies liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp of the Nazis.

Israel's Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Shaul Kamisa Raz, who spoke afterwards, stressed the importance of this anniversary marking the time elapsed after "one of the most horrific tragedies that have happened to humanity." He welcomed the decision to have it organized it in the Ministry of Education, "not only with those who make education policies, but also with those who perform them, because the source of the response to such terrible events is education."

"Imagine if these six million were still alive ..." he went on, referring to the extermination of nearly a third of all Jews during World War Two. "How much could these people give to science or medicine in terms of quality and diversity! How much would they give to the countries in which they would live as citizens who love their countries. Not to mention that the Jewish nation loves peace, is tolerant and wants to contribute to any place where it is."

"I want to tell you: that did not happen in Bulgaria, that did not happen in Denmark," - continued the ambassador,...