On February 22, 2025, the Lukov March, an annual fascist demonstration
held in Sofia, Bulgaria, took place. Little known in the rest of WesternEurope but very active, Bulgarian anti-fascists organized the annual
counter-demonstration to oppose this event. The Lukov March is a
demonstration created in honor of General Hristo Lukov (1887-1943). He
was the leader of one of the major fascist organizations of World War
II, the Union of Bulgarian National Legions, between 1942 and 1943,
until his assassination by two communist resistance fighters on February
13, 1943.
The first mobilization in his honor took place in 2003, in a small group
in a church. In the years that followed, the gathering became a march.
It grew in stature between 2009 and 2010, thanks to international
fascist support, particularly from Germany and especially from the
neo-Nazi National Democratic Party.
Today, the event brings together far-right groups from across Europe,
including France. In previous years, the French party Terre et Peuple
(Land and People) and nationalist activist Ivan Benedetti have
participated. His party, Les Nationalistes, also made an appearance. One
of its prominent members, Pierre-Marie Bonneau, was the lawyer of Alain
Soral, Hervé Ryssen, Robert Faurisson, and Boris le Lay, among others.
The first counter-demonstration was launched in 2011 by anarchist
anti-fascists. It gradually grew, aided by international support,
initially from their Greek neighbors, whose anti-fascist and anarchist
movements were more numerous, before being joined by other countries.
These mobilizations have grown in importance, and the results are being
felt. Thus, the media have stopped calling the Lukov March a "patriotic"
mobilization and have finally adopted the term "fascist."
This year, the far-right demonstration and its anti-fascist counterpart
each counted nearly 300 to 400 demonstrators. The presence of Greek
nationalists is particularly intriguing, as it indicates that their
territorial conflict with the Bulgarians was put aside for the duration
of the demonstration. Bulgarian comrades have also speculated that these
conflicts were more discreet at the request of German neo-Nazi
organizations like Die Rechte[1], which have a significant influence on
this demonstration.
European fascists support the march
Another disturbing element is the date. Since Hristo Lukov died on
February 13, it was customary to organize the demonstration on the first
Saturday following the anniversary of his death. But it was postponed by
two weeks, likely so that the various international groups could focus
on the "Day of Honor" in Hungary. This event, which also pays tribute to
fascists of World War II, was particularly anticipated given the recent
unrest surrounding anti-fascist trials, particularly that of activist
Gino, who participated in the counter-demonstration. The possibility of
strengthened coordination of a fascist international, perhaps led by Die
Rechte, which prioritizes demonstrations, should be taken into account.
This gathering highlights the unity of the far right internationally and
the need to fight them more comprehensively. On the anti-fascist side,
international solidarity was less visible in 2025 than in previous
years, but this was offset by a larger presence of young Bulgarian
anti-fascists.
"Antifascist Action," placard from the counter-demonstration of the
Lukov March on February 22, 2025.
Antifa Bulgaria
The Bulgarian libertarian movement is little known. Its origins are
ancient, dating back to the 1860s. After a long presence in the country,
its members were forced into exile or imprisoned in 1948, when the
authoritarian, pro-Soviet government tightened its repressive policies
against them. In 1990, the anarchist movement was legally reborn in
Bulgaria and was part of a process of emancipation from the failing
communist regime.
Today, numerous collectives have taken over, notably around self-managed
spaces like Fabrika Avtonomia and Kopriva in Sofia, or humanitarian
associations like Khrana ne vojna ("Food, Not War"). There is also a
significant communication network known as Anarkhosaprotiva
("anarcho-resistance"). Finally, other non-anarchist groups, but
sympathetic to the movement, join the struggle quite frequently, such as
feminist and LGBTI rights groups.
In Western Europe, some have reservations about Eastern anarchists,
sometimes perceived as too right-wing. But this poor image does not
reflect the reality of a movement in Bulgaria, which is neither more nor
less progressive than Western libertarians, but faces particular challenges.
Redeveloping Anti-Fascism in Bulgaria
One of the specific challenges of reviving anti-fascism and anarchism in
Bulgaria today is to popularize them as widely as possible, but also to
clearly distance themselves from the anti-fascism promoted by the
authoritarian socialist regime of the last century. Generally speaking,
references to communism are rather frowned upon-even if Marx is
interpreted critically. This can be explained by the authoritarian
policies of the Bulgarian Communist Party (BCP), which was in power for
over forty years and which marked their struggles.
Far from confining themselves to solely Bulgarian issues, activists are
also very active on international issues. We find a strong commitment to
Palestine, the largest mobilization of which took place during the Sofia
Pride in June 2024. The rear third of the procession was dedicated to
protesting the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Due to its geographical location, Bulgaria being at the eastern gateway
to the European Union, anarchist groups also actively campaign on
migration issues. Between 100,000 and 150,000 people are detained at the
Turkish-Bulgarian border. At least 93 people died attempting to cross
the country between 2021 and 2023[2]. Local activists are also fighting
for the right to asylum in Bulgaria.
Little known in Western Europe, Bulgarian protest movements deserve
significant international support, the only way to oppose the growing
fascism in Europe. Fascists are organizing; it's up to us to do the same.
Lo Rofaheu (UCL Marseille supporter), Michail Sheytanov (Antifa
Bulgaria), Sano (UCL Marseille)
Validate
[1]Die Rechte ("The Right"), a German neo-Nazi party founded in 2012,
was dissolved shortly after the march, in March 2025.
[2]"Almost 100 refugees died on their way through Bulgaria within the
last two years," Bulgaria.bordermonitoring.eu, December 2, 2023.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Bulgarie-Les-antifas-face-a-la-Lukov-March
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