site.btaNational Unification Is A Cause to Uphold - President Radev

Bulgaria's national unity is a cause Bulgarians must uphold so that future generations do not have to fight the same battles for justice, statehood and dignity, President Rumen Radev said in his speech at the ceremony in Plovdiv on the occasion of the 138th anniversary of the Bulgaria's Unification. 

"Today we are not just recalling the peaks of Bulgaria's past by celebrating the Unification, we are honoring and reflecting on the sacred example of the unity of those who 186 years ago with will and determination charted our path as a nation," the President said, referring to the year in which national hero Vassil Levski was born. 

"Whatever the differences in our society, I believe that defending our national memory and traditions, guaranteeing a decent life for our children in a free, just and European country is a common cause for all of us," the head of State said. 

The head of State emphasized that the Unification Day should remind us that only united can we overcome the hardships and build the Bulgaria to which our ancestors dedicated their lives.

"Our strength as a nation depends on everyone," Radev said, adding that every Bulgarian should feel the strength of the state and the support of everyone else behind him, just as everyone affected by the latest natural disaster in Southeastern Bulgaria should feel the support of the state and society.

"The Unification today showed us that in difficult moments, when even one of our fellow citizens suffers, we are obliged to stand together," said Plovdiv Mayor Zdravko Dimitrov in his speech.

He recalled historical facts and pointed out that 6 September 1885 was not just the act of the Plovdiv coup, but the deed in which the national idea, Bulgarian determination and the European future intersected. Just today, when our nation is going through another moral crisis, when we are divided in our ideas about the correct path, we should look back into the past and realise that we can only surpass ourselves if we look forward together in the common way, Dimitrov said.

In his words, Unification was the act by which the Bulgarians categorically declared themselves, their will, their goals and their future.

"Even today Plovdiv continues to be a centre of multicultural communication, to be a European stage where spirituality is spoken of and examples of world achievements are shown," Dimitrov said. He stressed that Plovdiv is a measure of tolerance, unity and understanding.

The ceremony in front of the monument of the Unification in Plovdiv included a solemn tattoo and ended without festive illuminations. They and all concerts on the occasion were cancelled as a sign of sympathy for the distressed areas along the southern Black Sea coast.

The ceremony was attended by National Assembly Chairman Rosen Zhelyazkov, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev, Culture Minister Krustyu Krastev, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, Plovdiv Metropolitan Nikolai, Plovdiv Regional Governor Ilia Zyumbyulev, Plovdiv Municipal Council Chairman Alexander Darzhikov, mayors, MPs, diplomats. Wreaths and flowers were laid at the monument on behalf of the state and local authorities, party organizations, patriotic associations, grateful citizens.