A nationwide commemorative gathering marking the 150th anniversary of the outbreak of the April Uprising was held today at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences under the patronage of President Iliana Iotova. The event served as the culmination of the anniversary celebrations and was broadcast live on Bulgarian National Television. BAS created a National Calendar of Events for the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, which brought together all initiatives across the country.
“Dozens of institutes and universities, schools, community centers, and museums, municipalities, and civic organizations throughout the country are keeping the flame of national memory alive. Thousands of people are actively passing on to future generations the memory of the ideals and heroism of the Bulgarian people.” With these words, Corresponding Member Atanas Semov opened the solemn gathering and summarized the numerous initiatives marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the April Uprising throughout Bulgaria.
The President of BAS, Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva, delivered a speech in which she emphasized the strong connection between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the heroic deeds of the April Uprising. “Many of the leaders of the Bulgarian Learned Society – of which BAS is the successor – were not only spiritual inspirers but also direct participants in the preparation and execution of the April Uprising,” said the President of the Academy.
“The April Uprising gave birth to heroism, great feats, and unparalleled valor, but also to martyrdom and the profession of faith,” said His Holiness Patriarch Daniil in his blessing during the solemn gathering. He added that April 1876 proved that even when history ended in tragedy, from this self-sacrifice – the conscious struggle against injustice – new hope was born which in that case was the successful Liberation War.
In his speech, Prof. Georgi Valchev, Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” thanked all local authorities and schools that participated in the commemoration of the anniversary of the April Uprising.
Academician Ivan Ilchev delivered an academic lecture on the topic “The Uprising That Put Bulgaria Back on the Map of Europe.”
President Iliana Iotova expressed her gratitude to the leadership of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for their initiative to mark the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising. “You have reignited the smoldering embers of our national memory and inspired the entire Bulgarian society to remain true to its duty: the duty to commemorate this momentous anniversary. You have infused new energy into all of us, each of whom, from our own corner of the world, wanted not only Bulgaria but the entire world to hear about the April Uprising and how Bulgaria was marking this anniversary,” President Iotova said in her address. Representatives of the Youth Guard Unit participated in the nationwide commemorative gathering at the Academy.
The event in the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall was attended by National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, Mayor of Sofia Municipality Vassil Terziev, President of the Constitutional Court Pavlina Panova, constitutional judges, President of the Supreme Court of Cassation Galina Zakharova, representatives of the legislative and executive powers, Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov, President Georgi Parvanov (2002–2012), the presidents of BAS Acad. Ivan Juhnovski, Acad. Nikola Sabotinov, and Acad. Julian Revalski, the general directors of BNT, BNR, and BNA, mayors of municipalities that participated in the April Uprising, metropolitans, rectors, directors of museums and community centers, academicians and corresponding members of BAS, teachers, students, and media representatives.
His Holiness Patriarch Daniil led a memorial service in memory of the victims of the April Uprising at “St. Alexander Nevsky” Cathedral. Prior to the start of the nationwide solemn gathering, a procession was held to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
