Fridtjof Nansen Monument Unveiled in Sofia

A monument dedicated to Norwegian polar researcher, public figure and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen was unveiled in Bulgaria's capital Sofia on Friday.

Norwegian Ambassador to Bulgaria Tove Skarstein, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov and Marit Greve – a grandchild of Nansen and his biographer - were present at the unveiling ceremony.

The monument is located in the park of the National Palace of Culture at the crossing of the Fridtjof Nansen Blvd and Patriarh Evtimii Blvd. in downtown Sofia.

Bulgaria is among the many countries that have recognized Nansen for his work on behalf of the displaced victims of the First World War and related conflicts. Among the initiatives he introduced was the "Nansen passport" for stateless persons, a certificate recognised by more than 50 countries.

Nansen helped many Bulgarian Western Thrace deportees return to their home country after the 1919-1922 Greek-Turkish war. He also helped tens of thousands of Armenian refugees settle in Bulgaria after 1925.

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