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

Bulgaria to receive two F-16 Block 70 aircraft “very soon”, says Bulgarian Air Force commander

Two more F-16 Block 70 aircraft are expected to arrive in Bulgaria very soon. This was announced by the commander of the Air Force, Major General Nikolay Rusev, in front of journalists. So far, Bulgaria has received four F-16 Block 70 aircraft..

published on 10/16/25 3:00 PM

Bulgarian President Radev will no longer use National Guard Service transport

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has announced that as of October 20 this year he will travel to work in his personal car. “When a law is being adopted that forces people to do state work in their personal cars, I will stand in solidarity with them,” he..

published on 10/16/25 2:53 PM
General Major Nikolay Rusev

Bulgaria will seek a system for maximum protection against drones

We want to buy a system that has maximum protection against drones. This does not mean that it has a mechanical effect on the drone, but at least that it has some electromagnetic or blocking control of the device. This was explained to BNT by Maj. Gen...

published on 10/16/25 1:22 PM