In the modern world, history continues to be a reference point for national memory, dignity and politics. Every country, especially in Europe, is sensitive to its national holidays, dates, traditions and assessments.
It is mandatory to observe the rule that the national holiday is related to an event that changes the status of the international legal subject. This principle is also observed in Bulgaria. The third Bulgarian state was created after the Russian-Turkish liberation war for the Bulgarians, which went through the battles at Svishtov, Shipka, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv.
A large number of victims were given in this war by the multinational Russian army, the Bulgarian militia, Serbs and Romanians. On March 3 (February 19, 1978), a treaty was signed in San Stefano, in which, after almost 500 years of Ottoman rule, Bulgaria was restored to the European political map. The rule that the winner dictates the peace terms was observed.
Then began the difficult path, filled with political, economic and social challenges, to the modern state of the Republic of Bulgaria. The presence of each political entity in international relations is accompanied by its participation in various organizations and alliances as part of the status quo in the world political space.
In Bulgaria, the caretaker government presented another surprise, forgetting that its only task was to organize early parliamentary elections. It was clearly being given tasks oriented towards confrontation in the pre-election period. There is no other way to interpret the proposal of the caretaker Minister of Education and Science, Sergei Ignatov, to change the national holiday from March 3 to April 20. After much delay, it was decided at the state level to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising. It is not clear, however, why it is proposed that April 20 become a national holiday.
In Bulgaria, for many years, the tragic events of the April Uprising of April 20, 1876, have been commemorated in a new style on May 2. The feat of the Bulgarians, the self-sacrifice of the rebels and the numerous civilian victims are part of our history. A tribute to their memory! The problem with April 20 becoming a national holiday is not in the feat of the rebels, but in the political order, subordinate to active Russian nihilism.
The question of the statehood of a people is connected with events that affirm its future. Wars and revolutions trace history. The uprising, no matter how heroic, is an unsuccessful attempt at change. Turning a date related to its history into a national holiday predetermines the non-state future of Bulgaria.
The uprising is a feat, but not a change. The political history of the Bulgarian state is subject to the unchanged rules of the international world. A successful war – negotiations – a treaty changing borders, status and the geopolitical map of the European Southeast.