History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Photographic portrait · 1918–1919
Photographic portrait

20th century · Tsar

Boris III

1918–1943

Succeeded Ferdinand at the end of the First World War; died during the Second.

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Boris III was Bulgaria’s monarch in 1943. Bulgaria was allied to Nazi Germany and enforced laws depriving Jews of rights. Appeals to the tsar against deportation are documented. Survival within the old borders must not conceal the surrender of Jews from occupied territories or continuing persecution. Was tsar during the Second World War. Received church appeals against deportation. His reign coincided with antisemitic measures. The history requires distinctions between intervention, responsibility, survival and deportation.

Sources · 11

Open · Boris III

Achievements

  • Was tsar during the Second World War
  • Received church appeals against deportation
  • His reign coincided with antisemitic measures

In our stories

Sources

  1. Bulgarian Heraldry and Vexillology Society Royal Bulgarian Heraldry and Vexillology Society, historical heraldry overview, undated.
  2. Национален военноисторически музей Август: 28 август 1943 г. National Museum of Military History, military calendar, undated web page.
  3. Liza Schwartz / Center for Jewish Art, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Gratitude Plaque to Patriarch Kiril and Exarch Stefan on the Gates of Bachkovo Monastery in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2009 The Bezalel Narkiss Index of Jewish Art and Material Culture, object 58073 · 2025
All sources (13)
  1. Lea Cohen File:DPeshev Letter.jpg Wikimedia Commons
  2. Спасимир File:NHMB-Order Stara planina-Dimitar Peshev 01.JPG Wikimedia Commons
  3. Biser Todorov File:Typewriter "Adler".jpg Wikimedia Commons
  4. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum The Nazi Party Holocaust Encyclopedia
  5. Николай Поппетров Една винаги актуална история. Спомените на Димитър Пешев и тяхното значение (Вместо предговор) PDF Димитър Пешев, Спомени. София: БИ 93. ISBN 978-619-7496-66-6 · 2020 · 15
  6. Nadège Ragaru Contrasting Destinies: The Plight of Bulgarian Jews and the Jews in Bulgarian-occupied Greek and Yugoslav Territories during World War Two Mass Violence & Résistance / Sciences Po · 2017
  7. Silent Heroes Memorial Center / German Resistance Memorial Center Foundation Dimitar Peshev Silent Heroes: Biographies
  8. Muzeum Treblinka Upamiętnienie Muzeum Treblinka
  9. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Bulgaria Holocaust Encyclopedia
  10. Yad Vashem Two Bulgarian Clergymen Named as Righteous Among the Nations for Saving Jews during the Holocaust Yad Vashem press releases · 2001

Images

Photographic portrait

Dimitar Karastoyanov · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photographic portrait · 1918–1919

Open source

Full attribution

Dimitar Karastoyanov / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Photographic portrait