2024-03-04 08:24:15
“Let us follow Levski’s covenant – to live in a free society in which everyone’s voice can be heard and together we determine our destiny.” This was said by the mayor of Blagoevgrad, Metodi Baikushev, at the celebration on the occasion of the March 3 National Holiday.
The 146th anniversary of the Liberation of Bulgaria was celebrated in Blagoevgrad with a number of celebrations. The program began in front of the memorial plaque, at the place where the citizens of Gornojumai welcomed the troops of the IV Mariupol Regiment, led by Major Pavlovich Orlinski, in 1878. There, the mayor, people’s representatives, the regional governor, municipal councilors, members of the public and citizens bowed their heads and laid flowers as a sign of gratitude to the heroes who gave their lives for a free and independent Bulgaria.
The program continued with a festive procession, led by the Representative Brass Band of the Ground Forces, which went along “Treti Mart” Street and reached “Macedonia” Square.
Wreaths and flowers were laid in front of the monument of the great Bulgarian revolutionary Gotse Delchev, and immediately before that, with military honors and to the sounds of the anthem of the Republic of Bulgaria, the national flag was raised.
Those present at the solemn celebrations were greeted by the mayor Metodi Baikushev, who emphasized the importance of the date March 3, which has become a symbol of freedom.
“146 years ago, the High Gate capitulated, capitulated to the self-sacrifice that made it possible for the Bulgarian state to rise again after 5 centuries. Today we bow to the thousands of Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian, Finnish and Polish soldiers who gave their lives for this to live freely and independently and to be able to fight for our own prosperity. There is no doubt that the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano was the first and most important formal reason for the revival of the Bulgarian state. From it began the realization of the national ideal clearly described by The Apostle of Freedom, Vasil Levski, namely to be free and independent, to live in a democratic state where all issues are decided by majority vote. And what is the Deacon’s covenant from now on and throughout the ages to fight for living in a society , in which everyone’s voice can be heard and we can all determine our destiny together. Happy holiday! Long live freedom, long live Bulgaria,” Mayor Metodi Baikushev said in his speech.
On the “Macedonia” square, a prayer for health and prosperity for the Bulgarian people was held by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop and Blagoevgrad priests. The 3rd Brigade Command – Blagoevgrad, Representative Brass Band of the Ground Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, RK “Tradition” took part in the festive program ” – Blagoevgrad.
The events were also attended by the regional governor of Blagoevgrad Maria Dimova, the chairman of the National Assembly – Radoslav Taskov, colonel Kiril Spanevikov, commander of the Brigade Command – Blagoevgrad, military personnel, representatives of cultural and educational institutions, patriotic organizations, representatives of political parties, members of the public, citizens and guests of the city.
Wreaths were laid in front of Gotse Delchev’s monument on behalf of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria Todor Tagarev and on behalf of the Chief of Defense Adm. Emil Eftimov.
The festive day continued with the concert-performance “…And for Freedom…” by Ensemble “Pirin” and with “A lesson in patriotism”, organized by the Regional History Museum – Blagoevgrad.