We all share a common duty and responsibility to preserve our language, culture and traditions no matter how far away from our homeland we are. It is essential that the children do not sever the ties with Bulgaria because if the next generation does not know its language, culture, traditions and customs, we will lose these young people as Bulgarians. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian community in St. Petersburg.
The Head of State highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between Bulgaria and Russia and quoted the words of the famous citizen of St. Petersburg Dmitry Likhachov, who defined Bulgaria as “a country of spirit.” Rumen Radev recalled that Russia has received its alphabet from Bulgaria and Christian religion and the Old Bulgarian Old Church Slavonic language came from our land to Russia. A thousand years later – in 1878 Bulgaria received its freedom from Russia and thousands of Russian soldiers sacrificed their lives for it. “These are such strong and deep cultural ties which no short-lived political environment can possibly change. Therefore our relations are important and it is our duty to develop them in all dimensions,” the President emphasized.
Rumen Radev further noted that in 2019 we will mark 140 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and called for joint efforts to ensure that these ties become increasingly stronger both in the sphere of economy and culture. “Russian investments are essential for our economy and the investor should be convinced that investments are made in a safe place. You are the people who set Bulgaria’s example in Russia and I thank you for representing our country in a worthy manner in Russia with your achievements in all spheres you work in,” the Head of State further said in his address to the representatives of the Bulgarian community in St. Petersburg. The meeting took place on the first day of his visit to the Russian city and it was attednet by his wife Desislava Radeva.