Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime2026 · Date · History · Messages
Bulgaria’s State Gazette publishes Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 of 20 January 2011 declaring 1 February the Day of Gratitude and Respect for the Victims of the Communist Regime under Labour Code Article 154(2). National Assembly records document the former presidents’ proposal and connect the date to the execution on 1 February 1945 of sentences issued by the People’s Court; this project presents that chronology neutrally without adopting partisan characterizations from speeches.
About Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime
Bulgaria observes February 1 as a national remembrance day formally declared by Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 of January 20, 2011.
English renderings of the Bulgarian title vary; this project keeps its established canonical label while source notes preserve the formal wording used in the official decision.
Why Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime matters
The observance is a memorial day connected with victims of Bulgaria’s communist-era regime.
Because the subject is politically and historically sensitive, the guide separates the legal act and concrete chronology from opinions or characterizations expressed by political speakers.
History of Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime
Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 was adopted on January 20, 2011 and published in Bulgaria’s State Gazette.
The decision declares February 1 the Day of Gratitude and Respect for the Victims of the Communist Regime under Article 154(2) of the Labour Code.
National Assembly records state that former presidents Zhelyu Zhelev and Petar Stoyanov had proposed the commemoration.
Official parliamentary records connect February 1 with the execution on February 1, 1945 of death sentences issued by the People’s Court against regents, ministers and members of parliament, among others.
Later Bulgarian government and parliamentary material continues to mark the February 1 remembrance.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Former presidents Zhelyu Zhelev and Petar Stoyanov
National Assembly records state that the 2011 declaration followed their proposal.
Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria
Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 of 20 January 2011
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Day of Remembrance and Respect to Victims of the Communist Regime, Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Communist Regime
How to Observe Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime
Read the official 2011 decision before relying on summaries of the observance’s legal basis.
Use archival or institutional sources to study the 1945 events and distinguish documented facts from later political commentary.
If attending a memorial event, follow site rules and respect people with different family histories or interpretations.
Avoid using remembrance messages to target or harass people based on present-day political identity.
When discussing disputed historical interpretations, attribute claims to identifiable sources rather than presenting partisan assertions as settled fact.
Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime Facts
The observance falls on February 1.
Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 of January 20, 2011 formally declared the day.
The decision was published in Bulgaria’s State Gazette.
National Assembly records connect the date with executions carried out on February 1, 1945 following People’s Court sentences.
The page uses neutral, source-attributed language because historical and political interpretations can be contested.
Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime Messages
Remember the people and history associated with February 1 without turning the observance into political persuasion.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Bulgaria State Gazette — Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 of 20 January 2011 (opens in a new tab)
Official Gazette
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria — February 1 remembrance (opens in a new tab)
National Government
National Assembly of Bulgaria — plenary record on February 1 remembrance (opens in a new tab)
Official Legislature
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime?
1 February The documented recurrence rule is: 1 February.
Does Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Bulgaria / national remembrance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime?
The reviewed sources identify Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Former presidents Zhelyu Zhelev and Petar Stoyanov.
Is Day of Recognition and Tribute to the Victims of the Communist Regime international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Bulgaria. Its fuller verified scope is: Bulgaria / national remembrance.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-23.
When is Bulgaria’s remembrance day for victims of the communist regime?
It is observed on February 1.
What formally established the day?
Council of Ministers Decision No. 37 of January 20, 2011, published in the State Gazette.
Why is February 1 used?
Official parliamentary records connect the date with the execution on February 1, 1945 of sentences issued by the People’s Court.
Who proposed the commemoration?
National Assembly records state that former presidents Zhelyu Zhelev and Petar Stoyanov proposed it.
Does this guide take a current political position?
No. It reports the legal instrument and documented chronology while attributing contested political interpretations to their sources.
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