Plamen Shukyurliev, Bulgarian Ambassador to China, gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

To celebrate Bulgarian National Day and commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II, a special exhibition telling Bulgarian stories of the war kicked off at Jintai Art Museum in Beijing on March 2.

The exhibition, named "The power of civil society during the Holocaust: Bulgarian story 1940 – 1944", showcases the struggle of the Bulgarian people, the Church and the Bulgarian King to shield its Jewish citizens from deportation and death, recalling memories of the darkest time in human history and the power of humanity to do good in difficult times.

"The Holocaust is not only a part of history but a reminder of our common duty to stand against any form of discrimination and to defend our freedom and democratic values," Plamen Shukyurliev, Bulgarian Ambassador to China, said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Wang Chao, Vice Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yuan Xikun, artist and curator of Beijing Jintai Art Museum were also present.

Shukyurliev also stressed the importance of close Sino-Bulgaria ties, culturally, economically and politically.

"The visit to China in 2014 of the President of Bulgaria His Excellence Rosen Plevneliev brought new momentum to our bilateral relations. Our two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive partnership," he added, emphasizing Bulgaria’s efforts with other EU nations to fulfill the EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for cooperation.