Solomon, Rebecca and their son Yako Saltiel and daughter-in-law

These are my parents, Solomon and Rebecca Saltiel, and my brother Yako Saltiel with my eldest brother Albert's wife. They are all wearing yellow stars, so the Law for the Protection of the Nation was already in force. The photo was taken in 1943 in Sofia.

During that period, 1942-1943, the anti-Jewish legislation was fully in force, and in 1943 my parents as all Jews in Bulgaria received orders for internment to Razgrad. My younger brother and my parents went there, while my two brothers were sent to labor camps. My mother’s health deteriorated, because while still in Sofia my family was often beaten by the police who were searching the house for me.

The life of my family in Razgrad was very hard. My mother died in 1943 while I was still in prison. I was not allowed to go to her funeral. I know that her funeral took place in accordance with the Jewish traditions. Of course, all that reflected on my education, and although I had finished my secondary education, I could not go to study at university. My father also suffered, because he had to close the workshop, sell some of the property and give the rest to friends to keep. So, my family led a very difficult life.

Photos from this interviewee