site.btaParliamentary Committee Chair Kirova to Bulgarian Community in Odesa: "You Are the Bulgarian Spirit's Guardians in Ukraine"

On the occasion of Bulgaria's National Day, March 3, the Bulgarian Consulate General in Odesa in cooperation with the BTA National Press Club in the city organized a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian community from Odesa, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions and a cultural programme on Saturday. Rositsa Kirova, Chair of the parliamentary Committee on Direct Participation of Citizens, Citizens’ Complaints and Interaction with Civil Society, was an official guest of the event from Bulgaria.

Addressing those in attendance, Kirova said: "I am happy that for the second year in a row, I am here and I have the privilege to experience these bright holidays with you - the guardians of the Bulgarian spirit in Ukraine and the Bulgarian traditions. Family roots are the strongest link between people, even when their fate has scattered them around the world and taken them miles away from their homelands, from the lands where their ancestors were born. For the homeland is not just a geographical concept, it is a spiritual unity, the unity of its daughters and sons."

"Today, we are together to celebrate the National Day of Bulgaria, to bow with gratitude to the memory of our ancestors who died for the freedom of the Fatherland, to confirm the traditionally close cultural, historical and friendly ties between the Ukrainian and Bulgarian people," Kirova went on to say. "Let us remember that the Bulgarians in Ukraine are an inseparable part of Bulgarian history, of the legitimate root of our ancient people for freedom and independence and for human dignity. Let us remember the invaluable contribution of the Bessarabian Bulgarians to our national and spiritual growth, because the indissoluble link of the Bessarabian Bulgarians with such colossuses as [revolutionary and poet Hristo] Botev, [writer Ivan] Vazov and [writer] Aleko Konstantinov will always remain in the memory of our people," she added.

"I am here today to pay tribute to you, our compatriots who live in Ukraine, but who carry Bulgaria in their hearts and have kept Bulgarian traditions and customs for centuries. It is admirable that even in times of hardship you show indomitable spirit, vitality and energy and carry out your patriotic mission," Kirova addressed the participants in the meeting. "Cultural and educational organizations and Bulgarian Sunday schools are living hearths where Bulgarian memory and sparks of patriotism continue to exist. And they are passed from generation to generation to your children, and they will pass them on to theirs," the Committee Chair noted.

She assured the Bulgarian community that every new initiative for their welfare and well-being will meet her support and that of her colleagues not only in Parliament, but also as Bulgarian citizens.  

"I hope this is a message that you are not alone, especially in these difficult times when Ukraine is fighting every minute for its freedom, for its sovereignty, fighting for justice. Especially at this time, we all realise how important freedom is. Today, our cherished wish is one - a wish for peace, a wish for prosperity wherever Bulgarians live and raise their children in spirit and with Bulgarian roots," Kirova concluded.