IN MEMORIAM
On December 27, Saturday, at 11:00 a.m., at the National Theater “Ivan Vazov“ in Sofia, we bid farewell to an exceptional statesman and public figure, to one of the most talented, intelligent and nationally responsible statesmen of modern Bulgaria and activists of the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
Georgi Yordanov was a patriot who inextricably linked his life path with the development and rise of Bulgarian culture and education, a person with an exceptional contribution to the popularization and preservation of Bulgarian spiritual values.
Acad. Ivan Granitski
One of the most talented, intelligent and nationally responsible statesmen has passed away - Georgi Yordanov, who recently turned 90. His contributions in various areas of state governance in extremely complex periods of political perturbations and transformations will yet be appreciated by future Bulgarian generations.
Publishing House “Zahariy Stoyanov“ had the honor and duty to publish in recent years in several volumes the author's political analyses, memoir sketches, portraits and sketches of great Bulgarian scientists, artists and statesmen, which are admirable in their insight and depth.
I allow myself to offer readers a short text in which I express only part of my admiration for my friend, the best Minister of Culture and the great statesman Georgi Yordanov.
It is amazing how Providence brings together in one place, at the same time, people with the most different mentalities, understandings and temperaments. In recent years, I have not ceased to be surprised by the most incredible and at first glance illogical acquaintances and friendships. Fate gave me the rare chance to get closer to some of the leaders of the Bulgarian word, the masters of elegant literature, philosophical thought and aesthetic insights.
And because of this, I am firmly convinced that great artists are truly immortal. It seems to me that such exceptional personalities and talents as Nikolay Haitov, Anton Donchev, Alexander Gerov, Bogomil Raynov, Ivaylo Petrov, Hristo Fotev, Gencho Stoev, Toncho Zhechev, Stefan Prodev, Vili Tsankov, Diko Fuchedzhiev… are more alive than some living ones. And I have an imaginary conversation with them every day.
At the same time, I notice how over the past twenty years, there have been fewer and fewer real personalities who are active in the socio-political field.
As if there is some inverse proportionality – The more bright and worthy artists Bulgaria produces, the fewer authentic and dignified political figures appear on the scene. I do not know whether the reasons for this are deeply social and historical or psychological and individual. But there are also such figures who, in the whirlwind of social perturbations, did not lose their moral qualities and self-respect, did not bend under the pressure of the conformist political conjuncture and not only did not betray their ideas, but also continue to defend them with enviable perseverance and tenacity. In my opinion, such a person is Georgi Yordanov.
Before the beginning of the so-called democratic changes that occurred after November 10, 1989, I knew him as the Minister of Culture and a prominent statesman of the then period, of the system. But my contacts did not have such a casual friendly character that they acquired after the mentioned date. We have had dozens of conversations, more on literary and cultural topics than on political ones. And every time I was impressed by his erudition, serious theoretical and practical training and, above all, his inexhaustible energy and thirst to attend every serious cultural event.
I have formed the impression for myself that Georgi Yordanov is a symbol of a strong-willed man (later I learned that in his youth his nickname was Moguchiy). Unlike a number of nomenclature shushumigs who enjoyed all the privileges of that power, and after the change overnight were reborn into fierce anti-communists and deniers of the past 45 years, Georgi Yordanov continued to subordinate his will to the defense of the social idea. He knew very well the contrast between ideas, which can sometimes be utopian, but romantically sublime, and social practice, which sporadically degenerates into inhumane experiments. Precisely because he embodied the unity of individual will, public goals, and the pursuit of historical insight, this man, being a politician and statesman, was at the same time so close to the people of the spirit. It was no coincidence that they perceived him as one of their own.
Georgi Yordanov did not flaunt his acquaintances and personal friendships with great Bulgarian artists, and at the same time he was familiar with their work, life and individual characteristics in detail. The arrogance and narrow spiritual orientation of a number of politicians were not inherent in him. He was tolerant, understanding, compassionate, dialogical, open to any opposing opinion. But perhaps his main psychological and role dominant should be his lively patriotic feeling. For him, the Fatherland was not an empty sound, like today's teapots and national traitors, popping up on the political scene. Georgi Yordanov was a patriot by internal impulses that come with the whispering of ancestral memory. The life-giving national feeling is what charged him with constant energy.
Of course, before every significant anniversary and on every important jubilee occasion, the friends of the person in question say a kind word or write an excited essay for publication in some jubilee collection. But for me, the case with Georgi Yordanov is not like that. The very fact that even artists who years ago experienced the harshness and iron will of politician Yordanov continue to value and respect him today shows that he is an extraordinary, multi-layered, ambiguous and impressive personality.
If the kind Fatherland had more such intelligent and sensitive politicians and statesmen, who were also authentic patriots, its fate might have been different.
I would like to believe and hope that the future will give birth to more such individuals, Bulgarians with a lively spirit, called to serve the benefit of the nation.
December 22, 2025