site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov Addresses Commemorative Ceremony Marking Vasil Levski's 187th Birth Anniversary

Addressing a commemoration ceremony on the occasion of the 187th birth anniversary of national hero Vasil Levski in the town of Karlovo on Thursday evening, Bulgaria’s caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapyranov said that Levski is "a personality who has been uniting Bulgarians around timeless values, causes, and ideals for more than a century and a half".

The Minister received the honorary formation of the representative units of the 61st Stryama Mechanised Infantry Brigade.

Solemn speeches were also delivered by constitutional judge Prof. Atanas Semov and Karlovo Mayor Emil Kabaivanov.

Wreaths and flowers were laid at the Vasil Levski Monument on behalf of President Rumen Radev, National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan, ministers, political parties, and the public.

The commemoration was also attended by the Governor of Plovdiv Region, of which Levski’s hometown is part, Hristina Yancheva, the Deputy Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Mihail Popov, the Commander of the Land Forces, Major General Deyan Deshkov, senior servicepersons, MPs, representatives of the local authorities, and members of the public. The ceremony ended with a military tattoo.