BALKANISTIC FORUM Vol. 2/2017 90 Bojan Simić Institute for Recent History of Serbia, Belgrade [smcbjn@yahoo.com] Towards Reconciliation. Yugoslav-Bulgarian League in Belgrade (1933‒1941) Abstract: The Yugoslav-Bulgarian League in Belgrade was founded on 24 Septem- ber 1933. Its main task was “to study the social conditions in Bulgaria in economic, politi- cal, and cultural-educational terms as well to spread the idea on Yugoslav-Bulgarian broth- erhood as a common interest of vital significance”. Governing bodies of the League were Executive and Supervisory Board whose members were elected by the Leagues’s Assembly. This representative body was responsible for the entire operation of the League, including its reports and proclamations. At the same time similar association was established in Sofia as the main partner of the League. During the interwar period, the Yugoslav-Bulgarian League in Belgrade created, or- ganized, supported and participated in a number of cultural and business events related to the promotion of Yugoslav-Bulgarian rapprochement. The most important among them were exhibitions, concerts, literary evenings, field trips, parties, etc. The Belgrade League had published eight books during its existence. Yugoslav-Bulgarian rapprochement was also achieved by frequent mutual visits organized by both Belgrade and Sofia Association. In April 1941, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria became enemies again which restored hostil- ity, denying all the positive results that Yugoslav-Bulgarian League in Belgrade and similar associations on the both sides. Key word: Balkans, Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Yugoslav-Bulgarian League The relations between Yugoslavia (Serbia) and Bulgaria are of the greatest importance for understanding the history of Balkans. Traditional rivalry around Macedonia, several wars fought in short period of time between Serbia later Yugo- slavia and Bulgaria, brought mistrust, even hatred among the people and political elite. Stereotypes about “ancient treachery”, “political and moral inconsistency” were all present. Mutual mistrust showed all, from common folk to intellectuals gathered around Serbian Literally Messenger (Српски књижевни гласник). 1 How- ever, there were people from both sides of the border that were aware of cultural similarities between people, and the worked on normalization and mutual coopera-