President Iliyana Yotova defined Shipka as a symbol of sacrifice, dignity and unity of all Bulgarians during the solemn celebration of the 149th anniversary of the Shipka epic on Mount Shipka. “Every time words are not enough. We search for them and find the strongest ones for ourselves to express this pure emotion, which every time at the end of August brings us here – filled with pride and self-confidence“, said Yotova, quoted by BTA.
According to her, Bulgarian history is associated with many significant dates, events and heroism, but there are places that forever determine the history of the people. “That is why Shipka is a benchmark. A benchmark for pride, for self-confidence. That is why it is an example of dignity, warriorship, honor, love of justice“, said the president. “That is why Shipka is a symbol, a symbol in our history, a symbol of self-sacrifice, a symbol of the future“, added Yotova.
The president recalled the role of Shipka as a key place for the outcome of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and paid tribute to the Bulgarian volunteers and Russian soldiers who participated in the battles for the pass. She noted that next year will mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Eagle's Nest. "A century and a half later, scientists, historians, and military personnel continue to ask themselves how it is possible for an army seven times larger to stand up to an army that is determined to do anything to preserve its centuries-old dominance," said Iliyana Yotova. "What should hearts be like? What should souls be like? How much courage, bravery, and dedication is needed to hold on and win our freedom? This is the Bulgarian militia," Yotova said.
The President emphasized that the Bulgarian militia was composed of Bulgarians from different parts of the historical Bulgarian lands and from the Bulgarian emigration. "They were here because they thought about freedom and their homeland," Yotova said. According to her, it is from Shipka that Bulgaria begins to write its new history, in which the words "State, Homeland, Fatherland" are now capitalized. "From here the Bulgarian army started, the great and worthy Bulgarian army, which will fight many more battles for the unification of the homeland," said the president.
Iliyana Yotova also recalled the role of the people who, after the Liberation, are building the modern Bulgarian state. "From here the builders of modern Bulgaria started. They did everything so that we would have a Fatherland. They did not want anything for themselves, because they believed in the future of Bulgaria," Yotova pointed out.
According to the president, the most important message left by the heroes of Shipka is unity. "And the most important thing in this testament is unity. Only it is the strongest. Unity of all Bulgarians“, said Yotova and added, “because freedom can only be preserved when we are all together“.
The President said that today Shipka is “a debt to the living“, and people who hold responsible positions in the state must know the price of freedom and bear their responsibility before the state and the people. “To know what a state is. To know how to keep it and not just make promises, but to know the pain of the people, of our people and to be worthy of meeting their expectations“, said Iliana Yotova.
She emphasized that the heroes of Shipka did not leave a legacy of division, but of unity, dedication and faith in the people.
„And if today we truly read this legacy and truly honor their memory, we must stand hand in hand - we, the Bulgarians“, said the president and called: „And at this summit, and everywhere in Bulgaria, let us say: we, us, together. Bulgaria“.
At the end of his speech, the president called for tribute to be paid to the thousands of heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of Bulgaria.
„Today we will bow our heads. Therefore, respect to the thousands, to the thousands of heroes who gave their all – themselves – for the freedom of Bulgaria. For the honor and dignity of Bulgaria. Long live the Fatherland!“, concluded Iliana Yotova.