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I didn't immigrate to Israel because of the values of communism. After all, I was one of the distinguished members of the Party here. In the 1950s I was not allowed to see my relatives who left with the big aliyah to Israel in 1949. So I went there only once – in 1988 on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Israel as a chairman of the philatelic association in Ruse. This was the fulfillment of a dream for me. I grew up with the desire to go to Israel. I was impressed by the civilization level of the state of Israel.
After 10th November 1989 [26] I retired and I have been working part-time as an assistant, as a director of the Home of Culture; I was also director of the trade unions in Ruse. We have organized some very interesting events. For example, for the past 20 years I have invited around 40 writers to meet with their readers here. The goal is to make people turn to books, and not only watch TV, but to read and meet the writers instead. I have received aid from the Joint [27] and from Switzerland. But I think that the events from 10th November were absolutely devastating. I am speaking of lost ideas, unrealized dreams, people losing their way. My feelings are shared by the majority of the Jewish community in Ruse.
After 10th November 1989 [26] I retired and I have been working part-time as an assistant, as a director of the Home of Culture; I was also director of the trade unions in Ruse. We have organized some very interesting events. For example, for the past 20 years I have invited around 40 writers to meet with their readers here. The goal is to make people turn to books, and not only watch TV, but to read and meet the writers instead. I have received aid from the Joint [27] and from Switzerland. But I think that the events from 10th November were absolutely devastating. I am speaking of lost ideas, unrealized dreams, people losing their way. My feelings are shared by the majority of the Jewish community in Ruse.
Location
Bulgaria
Interview
Yako Yakov