site.btaNew Monument of Levski Unveiled in Sofia

Sofia, July 14 (BTA) - A new monument to Bulgarian National Revival hero and freedom fighter Vassil Levski was unveiled in the park of the Georgi Rakovski Military Academy Friday. President Roumen Radev made the inaugural remarks.

This year Bulgaria celebrates the 180th anniversary of Levski's birth.

"Today the portrait of the Deacon [as Levski is popularly known] can be seen in every school, at every institution. Settlements, clubs and awards bear his name. Levski is the messiah of the national revolution, the man who was its preacher, who inspired and organized it. Levski, though, is a phenomenon beyond time. He has never been affixed between the pages of history or in the granite of monuments," the President said.

He said that of the host of events celebrating Levski's anniversary this year, the new monument is the most commendable, partly because of its location in the park of the Military Academy which trains "the guardians of the Fatherland", to use the President's words.

He expressed gratitude to the Initiative Committee for the monument and all people who supported the project.

"Let this monument be a sign for the coming generations that Levski lives where there is Bulgarian awareness and patriotism. We should not forget that the Bulgarian people can overcome all tribulations if they overcome their own weaknesses," Radev added.

The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Valeri Simeonov, Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, the Chief of Defence Lt. General Andrei Botsev, generals, admirals, officers and members of the public.