REMEMBRANCE IN TIME - Index of

THE GROUP OF IMMIGRANT ANARCHISTS
THAT ACTED IN THE VICINITY OF PAVEL
BANYA VILLAGE, KAZANLAK DISTRICT IN
1953-1954 (DOCUMENTS FROM VELIKO
TARNOVO STATE ARCHIVE)
Lora DONCHEVA 1
Abstract: Important place in modern historiography takes the issue of political repression and
forms of resistance against the imposed communist regime in Bulgaria in the period of 1944-mid-
50s of the twentieth century. The problem studied in this report focuses on participants in the
group of anarchists – immigrants, acted in the region of Pavel banya, Kazanlak, at the end of
1953-the spring of 1954. The statement, based on the studies in CA-V. Tarnovo documents
attempts to clarify the reasons which prompted the three anarchists (Hristo Nestorov, Doncho
Karaivanov, Miliu Ivanov) to take risky action for the return to Bulgaria to participate in the
resistance against the regime, to reveal new details concerning the organization missionto be
presented perspective of the only survivor (D. Karaivanov) for reasons for the failure of the case
started. The information in accessible documents give reason to conclude that the lack of
consistent, of clear and decisive position of emigrant union to actively participate in the fight
against communist rule in Bulgaria is the catalyst that accelerates the decision of three of them to
explore other possibilities for the realization of the goal - return to the country and organizing a
common resistance against the existing communist regime. The absence of objective information
about the situation in Bulgaria among immigrants, and the weaknesses and gaps in the
organization of return anarchists determine the failure of the group.
In recent years, the interest in exploring the topic of political repression and forms of
resistance to the imposed communist regime in Bulgaria in the period 1944 – mid – 50’s
of the twentieth century is increasing. The events and activities of the group of immigrant
anarchists in the region of Pavel banya village, Kazanlak, at the end of 1953 and the
Spring of 1954 are also a part of the serial attempts to counteract actively to the
established totalitarian system. Despite different parts of this topic are discussed in the
modern historiography, important issues related to disclosure of the persons, views and
activities of the immigrant anarchists, the reasons for their relations with American
intelligence, the role of the Bulgarian political emigrants in carrying out their mission still
remain unexplained. Among researchers interested in the topic was Plamen Stefanov. He
followed the chronology of events since the landing of paratroopers to the dismantling of
the group in March 1954 1 . Publications of Anka Ignatova 2 , that present the actions of
Internal forces in March 1954 on disposal and liquidation of „Gorani” anarchists in the
region of Pavel banya village also contribute to the topic. These publications also prove
1 St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.