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

President Rumen Radev vetoes SANS Act

President Rumen Radev has returned for new discussion in the National Assembly the amendments to the State Agency for National Security (SANS) Act, adopted on October 2 this year, which assign the power to appoint or dismiss the chairman of the agency..

published on 10/14/25 6:42 PM

Wednesday will be cloudy with occasional sunny spells and brief showers in the east

On Wednesday, the lowest temperatures will range between 6°C and 11°C, around 7°C in Sofia. Cloud cover will remain significant over most of the country, with rain showers in parts of Eastern Bulgaria and the mountains, more intense in the Rhodope..

published on 10/14/25 6:40 PM

IMF predicts growth of Bulgarian economy

In its new World Economic Outlook report, the IMF has raised its forecasts for Bulgarian economic growth this year and next, compared to its estimates from April. At the same time, IMF expects increase in inflation, as well as a decrease in the..

published on 10/14/25 6:20 PM