site.btaJoint Special Operations Command Commander Boykov Urges Defence of Freedom on Bulgarian National Day
Bulgarians should choose to cherish, safeguard and defend the country’s freedom and independence, Commander of the Joint Special Operations Command Brigadier General Bozhidar Boykov said here on Tuesday.
Boykov spoke at a ceremonial military tattoo on Central Square in Plovdiv marking Bulgaria’s national holiday and the 148th anniversary of its liberation from Ottoman rule.
Boykov said the Treaty of San Stefano was signed on this day 148 years ago, restoring Bulgaria to the map of Europe as a free and independent state. He said the treaty would not have been possible without the April Uprising, the Batak massacre, and the battles of Pleven and Stara Zagora. Boykov added that it was achieved through the sacrifice of figures such as Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, Georgi Benkovski, Todor Kableshkov and Panayot Volov, as well as thousands of known and unknown insurgents, volunteer fighters, teachers, priests, intellectuals and ordinary Bulgarians who gave their lives so future generations could live in a free and independent Bulgaria.
He added that Bulgaria honours those who understood more than 148 years ago that freedom is not granted, it must be fought for. Boykov said a person dies once in body and again when forgotten. He urged the descendants of those Bulgarians to remember their names, deeds and sacrifice and, like them, to stand firm in adversity and to cherish, safeguard and defend the country’s freedom and independence.
Plovdiv deputy mayors, borough mayors, municipal councillors and members of the public also attended. The heroes were honoured as participants knelt and observed a minute’s silence. Military units from the Plovdiv garrison took part in the ceremonial military tattoo.
/КТ/
Additional
news.modal.image.header
news.modal.image.text
news.modal.download.header
news.modal.download.text
news.modal.header
news.modal.text