On November 4, 1945, communist leader Georgi Dimitrov clandestinely returns to Bulgaria after 22 years in exile.
Georgi Dimitrov was born in the village of Kovachevtsi and moved to Sofia with his family when he was four years old. In 1902, he joined the Bulgarian Workers Social Democratic Party. He proclaimed and participated in the 1923 September Uprising, after which he fled into exile first to Yugoslavia and then to Austria. He worked for the Comintern, serving as head of its Western European bureau from 1929 to 1933. In March 1933, Dimitrov and other communists were accused of setting fire to the Reichstag. During the Leipzig trial, he defended himself in such a way as to arouse sympathy and support around the world, defending the Bulgarian people against harsh attacks and emphasizing their historical achievements and his own pride in being Bulgarian. Although he was acquitted, he had been stripped of his Bulgarian citizenship and so accepted Soviet citizenship, living in Moscow for many years. During the Second World War, he directed the activities of the Bulgarian Communist Party from Moscow.
On November 4, 1945, Georgi Dimitrov returned to his home country after 22 years of exile. His arrival was kept secret and only the Head of the Soviet Military Mission in Bulgaria, Sergey Biryuzov, welcomed him at Sofia Airport. His first public appearance came on November 7 when he gave a speech in front of the National Theatre, harshly criticizing the anti-communist opposition in the country and speaking on the anniversary of the October Revolution. Dimitrov became Prime Minister of Bulgaria in November 1946, a position he held until his death. During his time in power, the country underwent radical changes, including the nationalization of industry, agrarian reform, forced industrialization and the establishment of a socialist system based on the Soviet model. At the same time, a cult of personality surrounding Dimitrov began to develop in the typical Stalinist manner.
Following is the Information Bulletin from the Bulgarian News Agency’s Information Service, from November 7, 1945:
The Celebration of the October Revolution. The Arrival of Georgi Dimitrov.
Yesterday afternoon, the celebration of the October Socialistic Revolution took place in Sofia, in the National Theater. It coincided with the happiness of the Bulgarian Nation on the arrival of Georgi Dimitrov – the founder of the Fatherland Front.
Early in the afternoon, people from all parts of Sofia began to crowd before the National Theater, bearing flags, posters and slogans. A great improvised meeting took place, in which several thousands of citizens participated.
Shortly before 5 o’clock there arrived the National Regents, who were welcomed by frenetic applause. At 5 o’clock there appeared Georgi Dimitrov. Those present welcomed with ovations the first appearance of Georgi Dimitrov before the citizens of Sofia. The public rose up and greeted him, shouting “Long live Georgi Dimitrov!”. Indescribable was the happiness of the citizens at seeing among them the brave fighter against fascism, glorified throughout the world, the great Bulgarian, inspirer of the resistance movement against the German occupiers, the founder and guide of the Fatherland Front.
The scene was decorated with the Bulgarian, Soviet, American and British national Flags, with the banners of the Fatherland Front parties and with beautiful autumn flowers. The busts of Lenin and Stalin were placed there, together with the portraits of Stalin, Truman, Attlee, Marshal Tito, Georgi Dimitrov, Kimon Georgiev and Alexander Stamboliisky. Huge slogan posters were placed above the portraits. November 4, 1945: Communist Leader Georgi Dimitrov Clandestinely Returns to Bulgaria After 22 Years in Exile THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2025-11-04 15:15:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law