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Dimitar "Dimi" Panitza
Dimitar "Dimi" Panitza
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Dimitar Panitza Obituary
Family friends said Panitza died Friday in Paris "after a long illness," the BTA news agency reported.
Born in Sofia on Nov. 2, 1930, Panitza emigrated from communist Bulgaria at the age of 18. He eventually settled in the West, first in France and later in the United States.
Panitza began his career in journalism in the Paris office of Reader's Digest. He stayed with the magazine for more than four decades, where he retired in 1994 as a managing editor.
After 42 years in exile, Panitza returned to his home country to help restore democracy in the post-communist society.
Together with his wife, Yvonne, he established the Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation in 1991, whose goals are to support the process of democratization of Bulgarian society.
Panitza played a major role in the establishment of the American University in Bulgaria in 1991, to which he donated regularly over the years and on whose board of trustees he served until the end.
Panitza became an honorary member of Bulgaria's Academy of Sciences, but publicly resigned in 2010, after it was disclosed that a large number of communist-era secret police agents were still working at the academy.
He was a long-time member of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), of the Advisory Committee of the annual International Civic Courage Prize in New York, and the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE).
Panitza was also a Chevalier (Knight) of the French Order of the Legion of Honor and a recipient of the Council of Europe's Pro Merito medal for his contribution to the democratic development in Eastern Europe.
Funeral plans were not immediately known.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
7 Entries
Michael Seidenstricker
October 13, 2011
Just learned of Dimitar's passing. I only recently unpacked the brick from Sofia's "yellow brick road," which he presented to me when I left BG in July '03 and has accompanied me to the US and South Africa since.
I just recommended him and his work to a Kenyan colleague looking for a model to begin something like the summer institute to train political leaders Dimi founded.
The brick was the most valuable presentation made to me during my nearly 30 years in the US Foreign Service, and his example will live on.
Blagovesta Momchedjikova
August 1, 2011
Thank you, Dimi, for the trans-atlantic airline ticket you gifted me with so that I could begin my graduate studies at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, fifteen years ago. Thank you also for the first Broadway show you took me to, "Master Class," about the great Maria Callas, and for your words at the end of the show, while pointing to the stage -- "YOU should be there next time I see you!" It was so lovely to spend time with you and Yvonne several times in New York, when you allowed me to share with you not just my love of theater and writing but also my new passion: the whimsical Panorama Scale Model of New York City. I will never forget our long journey on the 7 train, to get to and back from the Queens Museum of Art that hosts the model, and our rich, round-trip conversations. Rest in peace, dear friend!
M. Jones
August 1, 2011
May you find comfort and hope at Psalms 121. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Marin Dimitrov
August 1, 2011
A great son of Bulgaria, we can only wish there were more people with such patriotism and dedication to his home country and people!
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Mariana Lenkova/Neisuler
August 1, 2011
I can't thank you enough for everything you did for me! You helped me when I was just a Bulgarian girl who was recommended to you by somebody you respected; last time I saw you and Yvonne, I was an American diplomat and you told me you were so proud of me. That meant the world to me!
R Golay
July 29, 2011
To the the family of Dimitar Panitza - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Henryk Zaleski
July 29, 2011
One of the silent greats. Thank you.Rest in peace.
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