site.btaOutgoing Defence Minister Attends Ceremony Marking 113th Anniversary of Battle of Bulair

Outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov reviewed the guard of honor of the Bulgarian Armed Forces’ representative companies in Samokov to mark the 113th anniversary of the Battle of Bulair. On Monday, he took part in the commemorations together with Samokov Mayor Angel Dzhorgov, Sofia Region Governor Silvia Arnautska, and Members of Parliament Mladen Marinov (GERB - UDF), Valentin Milushev (GERB - UDF), and Vladimir Georgiev (BSP - United Left). Other officials in attendance included municipal councilors, representatives of the municipal administration, the diocesan vicarage, and the Samokov Father Paisii - 1859 Chitalishte building, Bulgaria’s largest monument to fallen soldiers.

The program began with a march-past by the National Guard Unit and continued with a ceremonial military roll call accompanied by fireworks.

Zapryanov said the Battle of Bulair was one of the most resounding victories of the Bulgarian Armed Forces during the Balkan War. He recalled the history of the battle and those who fell during the war, noting that the names of all the fallen are inscribed on the stelae on the facade of the Samokov Father Paisii - 1859 Chitalishte and that commemorations of the Bulair epic have never been interrupted.

In his address, Dzhorgov said that today Samokov is once again a place of memory, honor, and gratitude. “We have gathered to mark 113 years since the victorious Battle of Bulair - one of those glorious pages in Bulgarian history that are not merely studied, but carried in the heart,” Dzhorgov said. He added that 113 years ago Bulgarian soldiers proved that in great deeds there is no rank, no origin, and no division.

“It is no coincidence that for more than a century Samokov has preserved and passed on the memory of Bulair. Today, as we pay tribute, we are not only looking back, but also seeking in the example of the Bulair veterans a moral compass for our time - the courage to remain united,” the Mayor added.

Wreaths and flowers were laid at the memorial plaques of the chitalishte on behalf of the officials and educational institutions in the town.

February 8 marks 113 years since the victory of the Seventh Rila Infantry Division in the Battle of Bulair during the Balkan War (1912 - 1913), when Bulgarian forces defeated a numerically superior Ottoman army.