A military bust-monument of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria was unveiled at the State Enterprise "Kabiyuk" near Shumen. Metropolitan John of Varna and Veliko Preslav consecrated the monument, which is the work of sculptor Behcet Danadzhi.
The event was attended by numerous officials, including the regional governor of Shumen Katya Ivanova, the mayor of Shumen Municipality Prof. Hristo Hristov, members of parliament, the deputy minister of agriculture and food Yanislav Yanchev, as well as representatives of various institutions and citizens.
Those present witnessed a historical reenactment showing the moment when Prince Alexander Battenberg made the decision to declare the Unification of Bulgaria. They paid homage to the memory of the Bulgarian statesman by falling to their knees.
"Prince Alexander is a Protestant by religion, but he never makes attempts to deviate from the traditional Bulgarian Orthodoxy. On the contrary, he always treats our native clergy with great respect," Metropolitan John said in his speech.
In his speech, the mayor of Shumen, Prof. Hristo Hristov, emphasized the historical significance of the moment: "Today, Bulgaria and Shumen are not simply erecting a monument. Today, we are giving a sign that we remember and that we value and continue. Here, the young prince makes a decision to support the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia, thereby marking the beginning of new Bulgarian history."
The choice of the State Enterprise "Kabiyuk" as the site for the monument is not accidental. It was here that Prince Alexander I made the decision to support the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 1885.
The Municipality of Shumen financially supported the project with 30 thousand leva, following a decision of the municipal councilors from the end of July 2025. The request for the construction of the bust-monument was presented in December 2024 by a specially created Initiative Committee.
A congratulatory address was also presented at the ceremony by the Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova.