A street in Sofia is named after Dimi Panitza - the founder of Bulgarian School of Politics

27 May 2019

A small street in Sofia - between “Narodno Sabranie” Sqr. and “Vassil Levski” Blvd, parallel to "Tsar Osvoboditel" Blvd. - was named after Dimi Panitza in May 2019. The street “Dimitry-Ivan Evstatiev Panitza” is the home where the great patriot and philanthropist was born. Politicians, public figures, citizens, relatives and many graduates of the Bulgarian School of Politics participated in the opening ceremony.

"Dimi's fate is related to the democratic process in Bulgaria and the strengthening of civil society in Bulgaria. In the years of the toughest transition, he helped strengthen democratic values and left behind many followers. "I am glad that on the eve of May 24th we are sending this message of honor to the great Bulgarian and democrat, who worked tirelessly for the place of Bulgaria in the developed democracies." This is what the mayor of the capital Yordanka Fandakova said in an emotional speech at the opening of the street. She told the attendees that she had personally had the honor to learn from Dimi at the Bulgarian School of Politics, and that she had received many valuable lessons from him - about strict discipline, political controversies and debates that were important to a democratic society. For her the most important of Dimi’s lessons is that there are causes and goals that should unite the whole society.

"Dimi Panitza is a man of honor and dignity who grew up in a spirit of sound morality. Each of his steps was highly ethical," excitedly told about his closest friend the great Bulgarian physicist Prof. Minko Balkanski. He focused on Dimi's life work and the view that education is the key, the most important factor in promoting the development of one community.
H.E. the French Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eric Lebedel, hoped that this act would be followed by similar gestures of tribute to the Bulgarians who lived abroad for years but returned to work and donate to their country. "People like Dimi Panitza, Prof. Balkanski and others - although they are citizens of the world, these people are first Bulgarians. They are deeply connected with their country. And these deep roots are seen by their visits and their causes. "
Marina von Krysersonon, a niece of Dimi Panitza, thanked on behalf of the family to all who had implemented and supported the initiative. "Dimi has always taught us to tell the truth, to be honest and valiant. These were the values that he always and everywhere advocated. It is great the street in front of our family home to bear our generic name."

Together with the opening of "Dimitry-Ivan Evstatiev Panitza" Str., in the Largo is already arranged an open-air exhibition, which will introduce the citizens and guests of the capital with the life, the work and the contribution of the great patriot.