Investing in security, in defense, in modern technologies would be self-serving if there was no inspiration, desire and dedication to the military profession. This was said by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in his speech on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the Serbian-Bulgarian War. He participated in the ceremonial lighting-inspection on the “Union“ Square in Slivnitsa.
Therefore, the task of every state leadership and administration is to build the authority of the Bulgarian warrior, the attractiveness of the military profession, because the most important goal is the defense of the fatherland, the Prime Minister added.
Defense of the fatherland following the example of our predecessors, who 140 years ago gave their lives for Bulgaria to be united, proud and independent, Zhelyazkov also said.
And today, when we live in difficult, turbulent, troubled times, times that we all want to become the past, not the future, we rely on the Bulgarian Army, he continued.
The Prime Minister recalled that the Serbo-Bulgarian War took place in 1885, just seven years after the Liberation of Bulgaria, when our Fatherland was torn in two and when the heroic Bulgarian people proclaim the restoration of historical truth with the Unification.
Bulgaria was treacherously attacked, at a time when our country had only been building its armed forces for six years, it was attacked with the tacit support of a large part of the Great Powers, who did not want Bulgaria to be united and strong, the Prime Minister added.
In November 1885, after glorious transitions, the Bulgarian army, which was much smaller in number compared to the Serbian army, managed here, in this place, to forge the glorious battle of Slivnitsa, which was followed by the battle of Gurgulyat, Rosen Zhelyazkov also said and continued that the army's offensive and the capture of Pirot led to the intervention of the Great Powers, who, worried by the enormous spirit, potential and power of the Bulgarian army, stopped the war and reached a diplomatic agreement.
Regardless of the fact that we did not conquer new territories, as this is a war of defense, a war to protect the foundations of our united fatherland, the Bulgarian army and people, led at that time by their commanders and the commander-in-chief, Prince Alexander, who was only 27 years old, the Minister of War Nikiforov, who was 29 years old, made the Unification an indisputable fact and helped diplomacy achieve what the “Times“ wrote: “The Bulgarians have earned their right and their truths”, the Prime Minister pointed out.
This heroic moment is so beautifully described in the lyrics of the patriarch of Bulgarian literature Vazov, who in his elegiac-heroic ballad “The New Cemetery above Slivnitsa“ says – “Dead, you have passed into another regiment“ and ends with “Guys, good night“, added Rosen Zhelyazkov.
This is the attitude of the Bulgarian people, who today celebrate 140 years of this glorious epic - of the epic of victory here, which becomes a symbol of heroism - of the heroism of the Bulgarian Army, of the dedication and inspiration of the Bulgarian warriors, of what we need most today - faith, patriotism, confidence and above all pride, said Rosen Zhelyazkov.