A day before solemn masses are served simultaneously in Sofia and Paris to commemorate the memory of the great Bulgarian John-Dimitry Panitza, numerous public figures, who played a key role in Bulgaria's transition, paid their respects.

"Death did us part from Dimi Panitza, but regardless of how irreversible this is, in our hearts and souls there will remain the shining image of the man who gave all his strength and energy to build a free and democratic Bulgaria," reads the obituary, signed by two presidents of Bulgaria – Zhelyu Zhelev (1990-1997) and Petar Stoyanov (1997-2002).

"Driven away from his homeland, Dimi Panitza never forgot his duties to it. His ideal was Bulgaria - Bulgaria, freed from the humiliating communist regime and its grim glory of the most loyal Soviet satellite, Bulgaria, ruled by the will and the wishes of its citizens, not by its only party and its state security. May he live forever!", the commemorative obituary ends.

It has also been signed by Antonina Stoyanova, Mikhail Ivanov, Antonina Zhelyazkova, Simeon Angelov, Stefan Tafrov, Dimitar Ludzhev, Georgi Mishev, Georgi Velichkov, Petko Simeonov, Ivan Evlogiev, Kamen Velichkov, Iliana Sarauleva, Plamen Bogoev, Raina Karcheva, Georgi Popov, Stefan Dimitrov, Georgi Grozdev, Asparuh Panov Panova Hope and Dimitar Bonchev.

Solemn masses will be served simultaneously in Sofia and Paris on Tuesday to commemorate the memory of John-Dimitry Panitza, a prominent Bulgarian journalist, philanthropist, patriot and public figure, who passed away Friday at the age of 80.

In the Bulgarian capital Sofia the mass will be served on August 2 at 3.30 pm at Saint Sofia church.

At the same time (2.30 pm local time) another mass will take place at Paris Cathedral Alexander Nevsky.

Dimi Panitza will be buried in Bulgaria, in the family tomb in Sofia on his own explicit wish, his wife Ivonne has announced.

The funeral will take place in the beginning of October when the urn will be brought to the country.

John-Dimitry Panitza was considered to be the man with the most outstanding international career among Bulgarian journalists. He was also involved in broad charity activities. Chairman and founder of the Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation, as well as Junior Achievement–Bulgaria.

He was among the founders of the American University in Bulgaria, a former honorary member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, a recipient of AUBG's honorary degree Doctor Honoris Causa, and of the highest Bulgarian state medal, Stara Planina First class, equivalent to the American medal of Freedom.

Panitza's experience at the Reader's Digest lasted for 40 years. During this time, he reached the position of managing editor of the magazine, which, in addition to the American edition, was publishing editions in some 20 languages around the world, with a total monthly circulation of 30 million copies for more than 100 million readers.

His tree includes a prime minister, a mayor of Sofia, bankers, philanthropists, officers, and revolutionaries – the builders of modern Bulgaria. 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 contributions to the democratic processes in Eastern Europe.

Dimi Panitza was also a great and dear friend of Novinite.com.

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