NEWS

President Rumen Radev: Today We Should Rediscover the Everyday Bravery of the Worthy Citizen

“Bulgarians should realize that freedom and sovereignty are not guaranteed with words and declarations, but are ensured by means of enough strength and valor and the negligent attitude to the army undermines statehood.” This is what President and Supreme Commander-in-chief Rumen Radev said in his solemn speech delivered on the occasion of the Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Army.

“In the past the Bulgarian soldier’s heroism frequently paid the price for political self-interest and short-sightedness,” the Head of State said and called for urgently starting to think about the people and technology that are entitled to protect Bulgaria. The President said that Bulgaria has survived for 13 centuries at the crossroads of geography. “When the power of the opponent crushed our not numerous people, the power of the spirit brought it back to life even after centuries of yoke,” the Head of State said.

In the President’s words, until recently the world believed that the horror of the two World Wars will prevent new bloodshed. However, currently bloodshed is observed at the periphery of Europe and even on the streets of the Old continent, therefore the army is restoring its role of an active guarantee of security and prosperity. “In a world in which personal egoism is imposed as a worldview, national egoism naturally comes back, which means – new risks, new collisions and conflicts,” Rumen Radev said. The President noted that Bulgaria is a pillar of peace in our burdened with history region. “We treat our neighbors as friends and today we will welcome the march of our brothers the Macedonians on the yellow cobbles,” Rumen Radev said.

Bulgaria was strong when it lived in the spirit of valor and virtues, the Head of State said. The President emphasized that today is not only the Day of the Bulgarian army, but also the Day of Bravery and therefore on 6 May we should rediscover  the everyday bravery of the worthy person and  citizen who fights with lawlessness and arbitrary acts.

“Today we are in a moral crisis, yet bravery is manifested not only on the battlefield,” Rumen Radev said. He called for rediscovering courage and speaking the truth, defending democracy and rising up against injustice. “Therefore I extend my gratitude to the courageous. The freedom of every society, our common freedom is upheld on the tip of their spear. Happy holiday to the people with epaulettes,” the Head of State further said in his speech.

The parade, which this year was commanded by Major-general Mihail Popov, Commander of the Bulgarian Land Forces, by tradition was opened by a Mi-17 helicopter that flew over the “Knyaz Aleksandar I” square with the national flag.

For the first time a representative unit of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia took part in the parade.  

Among the official guests attending the parade were Parliament Speaker Tsveta Karayancheva, Vice-president Iliana Iotova, deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov, Chief of Defense General Andrey Botsev, representatives of political parties, Assembly deputies, ministers, senior servicemen, diplomats, veterans, thousands of citizens, who filled to capacity the “Knyaz Aleksandar I” square.

Earlier, on the occasion of the commemoration, a blessings of battle flags and the sacred banners of the Bulgarian Army was served before the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. The ritual, dedicated to the Christian St. George’s Day, was served by the Melnik Bishop Gerasim together with other clerics. The Army flags were sprinkled with holy water.

The President and Supreme Commander-in-chief Rumen Radev reviewed the formation of the Guard of Honor. The Head of State laid a wreath in front of the  Monument of the Unknown Soldier. The national anthem was played by the Guard brass band. The ritual ended with a solemn march of the guardsmen.