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There was a good spirit of tolerance between Bulgarians and Jews in Ruse. Many Turks and Armenians also lived there. Besides, Ruse is a town much visited by foreigners. They were mainly sailors from the port in Ruse. That's why the Nobel laureate writer, Elias Canetti [6], who was born here, said that Ruse was a multi-national town where one could hear all the languages of the world. When Canetti went to Austria, he wrote, ‘All that I see in Vienna, I have already seen in Ruse.’ So, Ruse was a European town tolerating foreigners – Jews, Turks and Armenians [by foreigners, the interviewee means national, ethnic and religious minorities].
Although they were not the largest ethnic group, the Jews had the strongest presence in every respect: they worked as advisors in the town’s municipality; they also influenced the cultural events in the town. For example, the foundations of the opera in Ruse were laid by the Jewish musical association ‘David’ in the 1930s. The best baritone in the opera in Ruse was the cashier of the Avoda Bank; I don't remember his name.
Although they were not the largest ethnic group, the Jews had the strongest presence in every respect: they worked as advisors in the town’s municipality; they also influenced the cultural events in the town. For example, the foundations of the opera in Ruse were laid by the Jewish musical association ‘David’ in the 1930s. The best baritone in the opera in Ruse was the cashier of the Avoda Bank; I don't remember his name.
Location
Bulgaria
Interview
Yako Yakov