Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

30 years since the historic visit to Bulgaria by Francois Mitterrand

Photo: French embassy in Bulgaria

It is 30 years today since the historic visit to Bulgaria by French President Francois Mitterrand which gave an impetus to the democratic processes in the country.

During his visit in January 1989, President Mitterrand invited 12 Bulgarian dissident intellectuals to breakfast at the French embassy in Sofia, among them the future first democratically elected President of Bulgaria Zhelyu Zhelev. At their meeting they discussed the problems of societal development in Bulgaria, as well as the persecution the opponents of the regime were subjected to. Later, Francois Mitterrand met with Bulgarian students at the St. Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia.

President Mitterrand’s meeting with Bulgarian intellectuals is regarded as a key moment in the overthrowal of the Todor Zhivkov communist regime in Bulgaria, which took place in November of the same year. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Rumen Radev: The stability of the cabinet depends on its architects Borissov and Peevski

“The stability of the government depends on the architects of the majority – these are Mr. Borissov and Mr. Peevski. It depends on the understanding between the two of them, as they are the personnel officers of the government, they..

published on 3/27/25 12:06 PM
Laura Kövesi and Teodora Georgieva

Laura Kövesi to investigate the Bulgarian European Prosecutor

European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi is launching an administrative investigation into possible violations committed by Bulgaria’s European Prosecutor Teodora Georgieva within the framework of an ongoing investigation by the..

published on 3/27/25 10:38 AM

Girl injured in Kočani fire discharged from Pirogov hospital

A patient who was admitted to Bulgaria’s Pirogov hospital for treatment after the fire in the city of Kocani, North Macedonia, has been discharged from the hospital. The 15-year-old girl was admitted with severe burns to her..

published on 3/27/25 8:56 AM