My call today is to remember the lessons of the past and stand for peace, humanism and tolerance.
This was said by President Rumen Radev at the Central Sofia Synagogue, where the candle lighting ceremony for the Festival of Light – Hanukkah is taking place. This is the only way to preserve the wisdom of our ancestors and pass it on to those after us, who with the faith and drive of youth, I believe, will build a better and more just world, the head of state added.
He thanked the organization “Shalom“ and the Central Israeli Spiritual Council for the invitation to celebrate together this bright and joyful holiday for all here, in the Sofia Synagogue, one of the emblems of the Bulgarian capital, and not only as a work of architecture, but also as a symbol of faith, spirituality and understanding.
I am here not by virtue of official duty and protocol, not only by virtue of a good tradition, but driven above all by respect and gratitude to all of you – representatives of our Jewish community. This community, which made great sacrifices in our struggles for national liberation and unification and in the battle against Hitler fascism, stated Rumen Radev and added that we must not forget this. We must not forget that generations of respected names emerged from its ranks, who left and continue to leave a bright mark on Bulgarian history – in the field of science, literature, the arts, in all spiritual spheres and in our socio-political life, the president said.
The miracle of Hanukkah carries the millennial faith in the triumph of light, in the victory over evil, in the renewal of hope for tomorrow. And in today's time of growing challenges, of pogroms, on an ethnic basis, of murders, as happened today in Australia, a time when the voice of humanism and reason is increasingly drowned out by hatred and the roar of weapons, the message of Hanukkah sounds even stronger, Rumen Radev pointed out.
In his words, with its millennial tradition, the holiday is not only a part of the long historical path of the Jewish people, it is also a strong message. A message of peace, a message of understanding, a message of tolerance, he added. And that is why my call today is to remember the lessons of the past and to stand for peace, humanism and tolerance, said the president. According to him, this is the only way to preserve the wisdom of our ancestors and pass it on to those after us, who with the faith and drive of youth, I believe, will build a better and more just world. I wish you health and may we continue to preserve the light in our thoughts, words and deeds, Rumen Radev added.
A minute of silence and prayer were held to honor those who died in the Sydney shooting at the Central Sofia Synagogue, BTA reported. At least 11 people died and 29 were injured in the shooting on Bondi Beach in Sydney, which took place during an event marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.