site.btaVice President: "Levski Had One Ideology – Bulgaria"
Paying tribute to national hero Vasil Levski as a new monument was unveiled in Etropole to mark the 188th anniversary of his birth, Vice President Iliana Iotova called him a moral compass for the Bulgarian people. “Levski did not serve ideologies. He had one ideology and that was Bulgaria, for which he gave the most precious thing: his life,” Iotova said.
She emphasized that for Bulgarians, Levski lives in the heart and soul from early age. “That’s how we’re raised by our parents, that’s what we’re taught in school. And when we’re faced with difficult choices, when we’re uncertain, we turn to the Apostle. He is our point of reference.”
She warned against misusing his legacy. "Let us not abuse the image of the Apostle. Let us not quote - often inaccurately - what he said, or exploit his words for political or other opportunistic purposes."
She reminded the audience that Levski gave Bulgarians something deeply meaningful even before liberation—a sense of national pride and identity. "He wanted a country equal to the rest, a nation involved in shaping global affairs. Are we today the people he dreamed of?" According to Iotova, this is a question each Bulgarian must ask themselves.
"But in the 21st century, we must remain faithful to him and remember—we have no reason to consider ourselves less European than others."
"Levski will never be locked within the pages of history books or confined to monuments. He is our lesson in what it truly means to be free - to find the strength to resist cowardice and betrayal."
"So today, on your birthday 188 years later, we say: ‘Apostle, times are hard. If you are watching us from above, bless your people one more time. Bless Bulgaria. We bow to your memory.’"
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