With a solemn scientific session, the Institute for Historical Studies and the Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Faculty of History and the Faculty of Geology and Geography of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, the “G. S. Rakovski” Military Academy and other nationally significant scientific and museum institutions are commemorating 140 years since the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. The official opening has taken place at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. The event is held under the patronage of the President of the National Assembly, Assoc. Prof. Nataliya Kiselova, and the Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Prof. Georgi Valchev.
“Unification is, in many ways, a historic example of important and timely decisive national action that has had consequences throughout the centuries. It also holds lessons for both the political class and our society today. Because 140 years ago the Bulgarians showed that “UNITY IS STRENGTH!”. This is stated in the congratulatory address of the President of BAS, Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva, to the participants in the national conference. During the opening ceremony, the Vice-President of BAS Corr. Memb. Evdokia Pasheva has delivered a welcome address from the Academy’s leadership and highlighted: “I am confident that the participants in the conference will contribute to the scientific analysis and supplementation with new facts of the events of 140 years ago, will outline their place in the new Bulgarian history and the messages to today’s Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences with its scientific potential will support the objective study of our national history both now and in the future.”
The scientific forum will present new facts and interpretations of the Unification as well as the contemporary view of its meaning and significance. The event will also present new books published on the occasion of the landmark anniversary: “Three Viewpoints on the Unification of 1885” by Milko Palangurski, Veselin Yanchev and Peter Stoyanovich and “Unification. The Diplomatic Battle for Bulgaria” by Aleka Strezova.
The idea of erecting a monument to Prince Alexander I of Battenberg and the Unification in Sofia was presented during the press conference held at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency, on September 3, on the occasion of the event. It was attended by the Director of the Institute of Balkan Studies & Centre of Thracology of BAS, Prof. Roumiana Preshlenova.
