site.btaPresident Radev Addresses Land Forces on Their Service Day, Pays Tribute to Fallen in Serbo-Bulgarian War

President Rumen Radev delivered a congratulatory address to Land Forces service members, who mark their 147th anniversary and observe their service day on Wednesday. The President was speaking at the Pantheon of the Fallen in the village of Gurgulyat, where he paid tribute to those who died in the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885. 

On November 19, 1885, during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, the Bulgarian Army achieved a decisive victory over the Royal Serbian Army in the Battle of Slivnitsa. This victory solidified the unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia.

Radev noted that it is no coincidence that the date, remembered as the culmination of those events, is celebrated as the Land Forces’ service day. “The genius of Bulgaria’s military commanders remains forever inscribed in the annals of world operational art, while the valour of the Bulgarian soldier endures as an eternal symbol of courage and selflessness. They bore the brunt of the wars for national unification and independence, as well as of the two world wars,” the President emphasized.

During the ceremony, the Head of State presented awards to Land Forces service members. A prayer service was held in front of the Pantheon, and official guests laid flowers.

Earlier in the day in Slivnitsa, soldiers from the Bulgarian Land Forces took part in a march on foot, retracing the steps of the Slivnitsa heroes from the Captains’ Monument to the Granite Monument "Heroes of Slivnitsa" in the city centre.

The Land Forces’ service day has been observed by decision of the Council of Ministers since November 16, 1992, according to BTA's Reference Department.

On November 7, the 140th anniversary of the Serbo-Bulgarian War was marked with a wreath-laying and a military tattoo at the Heroes of Slivnitsa Memorial.