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Almost all of my childhood friends have passed away. Among my closest friends were Izidor Ayzner and Ariko Haimov. I worked together with Ayzner in a shop and in 1939 we established the UYW organization [21] of the Jewish neighborhood in Ruse. Ariko Haimov and I tried to escape from Bulgaria. We boarded the ship of Anton Prutkin, who was commander of Sofia during the government of Alexander Stamboliiski [22]. On 1st March 1941 we had to sail on his ship and he had to take us to Turkey or Cyprus. But on 1st March the Germans entered Bulgaria.
Anton Prutkin was a very interesting person. He was very honorable and returned to us the money we had given him for fuel when he learned that we would not be able to set off. He was imprisoned for political activities, then he went to Varna where he worked as a ship owner. But he was hanged there as a spy in 1944, because he was caught handing over materials to the Soviet intelligence.
During our free time my friends and I were involved in illegal activities in Ruse; all the more important anti-fascist activities in Ruse were organized and performed with our participation. As I mentioned I was one of the activists together with Izidor Ayzner. He worked for the cause in Maccabi and I in Hashomer Hatzair. At that time we became atheists.
Anton Prutkin was a very interesting person. He was very honorable and returned to us the money we had given him for fuel when he learned that we would not be able to set off. He was imprisoned for political activities, then he went to Varna where he worked as a ship owner. But he was hanged there as a spy in 1944, because he was caught handing over materials to the Soviet intelligence.
During our free time my friends and I were involved in illegal activities in Ruse; all the more important anti-fascist activities in Ruse were organized and performed with our participation. As I mentioned I was one of the activists together with Izidor Ayzner. He worked for the cause in Maccabi and I in Hashomer Hatzair. At that time we became atheists.
Location
Bulgaria
Interview
Yako Yakov