site.btaBrussels City Hall Hosts Concert on Occasion of Bulgaria's Upcoming National Day

The Brussels City Hall hosted a concert on Friday evening on the occasion of the upcoming national day of Bulgaria on March 3. The event was held at the invitation of the Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgium, Plamen Bonchev, and the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the EU Ambassador, Rumen Alexandrov.

Pianist Daniel Verstappen and the Bulgapeia Choir performed in front of ambassadors of some 60 countries, ministers, and guests from Bulgaria and abroad.

Addressing the attendees, Ambassador Bonchev said that Belgium was among the first countries to recognize Bulgaria's independence. “The last three decades have been a golden age of bilateral economic, political, cultural, and educational ties,” he added. Bonchev pointed out that this is the first time Bulgaria celebrates its national day during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

“We are at a historic crossroads. The EU is faced with the challenge of being a staunch champion of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights,” Ambassador Alexandrov said. “Tomorrow is built today, and we are all part of this process,” he added.

“We gratefully remember with gratitude the sacrifice of those who fought and died in the war that led to Bulgaria's liberation, including Ukrainian soldiers, nearly a century and a half ago. Today it is our turn to support their heirs in this difficult, decisive, and fateful hour,” Alexandrov noted.