site.btaUPDATED Monument to General Vladimir Vazov Unveiled on Unification Day

A monument to General Vladimir Vazov (1868 -1945) was unveiled in Sofia on Unification Day. The event was attended by Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev, Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev, municipal councilors, Ciela Norma Managing Director Veselin Todorov, and citizens. The monument is located on Vladimir Vazov Boulevard, at the corner of Panayot Hitov Street.

The monument was created by sculptor Boris Borisov, and the project was implemented on the initiative and with the financial support of Ciela Norma. Its installation was approved by a decision of the Sofia City Council.

“Let this monument be not just a memory, but an inspiration. General Vladimir Vazov is a great Bulgarian whose memory we must honour and whose work we must not allow to fade into oblivion,” said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev at the unveiling of the monument in the capital. Terziev pointed out that the monument is not only a gesture of historical gratitude, but also a message to all about civic responsibility, professionalism, and personal morality.

“General Vladimir Vazov was not only a great warrior, he is also the builder of modern Bulgaria,” said Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev. He added that as mayor of Sofia, General Vazov was extremely important in giving the capital its European appearance, from public transport and its modernization to the construction of the urban and cultural institutions known today, he initiated the construction of the Rila water pipeline and put an end to political purges in the municipality.

General Vladimir Vazov was one of the greatest contemporary military leaders and one of the greatest mayors of Sofia, said Veselin Todorov, Managing Director of Ciela Norma, whose donation supported the construction of the monument. Todorov noted that the monument was supposed to be unveiled in May, which is the anniversary of General Vladimir Vazov's birth and 80 years since his death. “Today's joyous celebration is perhaps the next most appropriate date, symbolizing the greatest achievement of the Bulgarian people, which they themselves accomplished in building their country, and just a few days before Sofia Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Doiran,” he said.

Vladimir Vazov was a prominent Bulgarian military leader and the brother of renowned Bulgarian writer and poet Ivan Vazov. Vladimir Vazov served as commander of the Fourth Artillery Regiment during the Balkan Wars (1912–1913) and the Ninth Infantry Division during World War I (1914–1918). In 1918, he led the Ninth Division in the Battle of Doiran, which ended with victory for Bulgaria and defeat for the Entente (of Britain, France, Russia, Serbia and other countries formed in 1904-1907). In early 1920, Vazov was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. Despite being not yet 52 years old, he was discharged from active service and entered the army reserve. He was appointed chairperson of the Union of Reserve Officers, a position he held for a decade. From April 7, 1926, to March 14, 1932, General Vazov served as Mayor of Sofia, significantly contributing to the development of the capital.