site.btaHundreds of Jews Celebrate Hanukkah at Sofia Synagogue

Hundreds of Jews gathered at the Sofia Synagogue on Sunday to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev was there to take part in the ritual of kindling the lights. He lit the first candle together with a second-grade pupil named Ava.

Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, MPs, Foreign Minister Nikolai Milkov, representatives of the religious communities in Bulgaria and members of the diplomatic corps attended the ceremony. The President was accompanied by his wife Dessislava Radeva. Mayor Fandakova lit the second candle.

President Radev said in a speech that Hanukkah is associated with the hope that light will triumph and evil will be vanquished, the idea of renewal and the belief in tomorrow. "In the present time of growing confrontation, when the voice of reason is ever more often silenced by hatred, our message this evening is stronger than ever before, because history has told us repeatedly that light can only forge its way if we are enlightened and responsible," he said.

The President noted that on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps during World War II, everyone should remember that miracles are most often made by humans. "The glorious example set by our predecessors requires us to reaffirm their humane choice and uphold their model of dedication, responsibility and empathy," he said.

The President believes that in the remaining days of the dramatic year 2022, the people gathering in every house of worship across Bulgaria, regardless of their religion, will unite in a prayer for peace, prosperity and understanding. "Let the light into your hearts and homes, and it will shine throughout the world," he said.