“Every Bulgarian, no matter where they are throughout the world, cherishes the deed of the two apostles, the fond memories about a favorite teacher, and the memory of a book that they have been given as present, and the intransient song devoted to the two brothers.” These were the words with which President Rosen Plevneliev greeted the guests of the exhibition “In the beginning were the words”, which was opened today in the town hall of the Ellwangen municipality, Baden Wurttemberg, commemorating 1150 years since the Great Moravian enlightenment mission of Cyril and Methodius.
The tradition to pay tribute to Saint Methodius dates back to 1970 when the administrative board of Ellwangen placed a plaque of the saint at Methodius platz. Since then the town has become a uniting hub of the peoples who pay tribute to the universally important and historical deed of the Cyril and Methodius brothers. “Today Ellwangen also gathered Bulgarians in Germany to pay tribute to the deed of the Cyril and Methodius brothers. In this respect the plaque, the St. Methodius chapel, and since recently the Methodius center in the Adelman palace, have become for us the symbol of the Bulgarian spirituality, language and tradition in Europe,” President Rosen Plevneliev said. Karl Hilsenbenk, mayor of Ellwangen, took on the commitment to display the exhibition for a longer period in the town hall so that more people could see it.
Earlier today the Head of State placed a wreath at the plaque of St. Methodius in Ellwangen. The saint was in exile in the Benedict Monastery in the town between 870 and 873. “I am proud to be president of a nation that cherishes 24 May as the most sacred holiday. This is yet another evidence of how special the Bulgarian people is – it commemorates not only the victories it has won, but also the holiday marking the victory of spirituality and literature,” the President emphasized. “The people in Europe should not unite only around the billions of euros worth of EU funds and their management. Europe may unite only around our values for securing peace, prosperity, good neighborly relations, our culture, common religions, common past, which ensures our common future,” the Head of State further added.
In Ellwangen Rosen Plevneliev marked the beginning of an international conference devoted to 1150 years since the creation of the third European script and the Great Moravian enlightenment mission of Cyril and Methodius.
The president is on a working visit to Baden Wurttemberg. On Monday, 27 May, the president will have a meeting with Guido Wolf, president of Baden Wurttemberg’s Lantags and with Justice Minister Reiner Shikelberger. The Head of state will also take part in a round table with the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Baden Wurttemberg and with representatives of the business environment of the federal province.