Boris M. and Vaska Altiparmak

Boris Altiparmak, a member of the underground, lived with his wife Vaska in a house in the center of Bitola. On March 11, 1943, the day of the mass roundup of the Jews, Solomon (Mo) Sadikario went over to Boris and, with tears in his eyes, asked Boris if he could hide in his home because the Bulgarian police were searching for him. While they were talking, Sami Sadikario, Solomon’s younger brother, also arrived at the Altiparmaks’ home. He, too, asked to be hidden there. The two brothers were warmly welcomed into the Altiparmaks’ home. Despite the danger, Vaska took care of them for three days and then Boris took them to the partisans. Next day, Albert Ruso appeared at the Altiparmaks’ home. Albert and Boris had met through their underground activities in 1942, and Boris was willing to afford Albert shelter. However, before long, the Altiparmaks were betrayed and Albert was compelled to leave their home. Boris escorted him to an uninhabited house in the center of town, where he remained for a few days, with Vaska bringing him food. Later, when the partisans arrived, Albert met the Sadikario brothers, Albert Kasorla, and David Kalderon, who had all stayed with the Altiparmaks before joining the partisans. The Sadikario brothers both died in combat.

On November 28, 1989, Yad Vashem recognized Boris and Vaska Altiparmak as Righteous Among the Nations.