site.btaBulgaria, Germany and France Hold Joint Ceremony in Bucharest in Memory of Soldiers Who Died in WWI

The Embassy of Bulgaria in Romania, together with the diplomatic missions of Germany and France, organized a commemorative ceremony in memory of the fallen Bulgarian, German and French soldiers buried in Bucharest. The event took place at the Pro Patria and Bellu military cemeteries, where Bulgarian, German and French soldiers are buried, the Bulgarian diplomatic representation informed BTA.

A joint funeral prayer was held with the participation of a representative of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Bucharest.

The ambassadors of Bulgaria, Germany and France all spoke at the event. In his address to the attendees, Bulhgarian Ambassador Radko Vlaykov highlighted the symbolism of the three countries, together with Romania, organizing a joint event as "a sign of our common responsibility for the future of Europe". He stressed that the lessons of history should be learned by all as this is the way to protect common values, freedom and democracy. He added that this also requires adequate deterrence and defence capabilities against the backdrop of the rapidly changing security environment. "It is for this reason that it is necessary to continue with our common efforts to guarantee security in the Black Sea, which will allow us to develop as free and democratic states, " he diplomat pointed out.

Wreaths were presented on behalf of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, the country's Foreign Ministry and Ministry of National Defence, the Bucharest City Hall, NATO's Multinational Division Southeast and a number of diplomatic missions and public organizations.

The event ended with the reading of letters from the front by soldiers who took part in World War I sent to their relatives. An excerpt from a letter of a Bulgarian soldier was read by a Bulgarian student at the French International School of Bucharest.

Soldiers who died during World War I were buried in the Pro Patria military cemetery park in the Romanian capital. It has a separate Bulgarian part with 72 graves.