„Did you expect that someone would ever dare to forbid you to climb Shipka and that someone would dare to encroach on your right to worship those to whom we owe our liberty?“ Thank you for being here, because Shipka is a holy place. Shipka is the ossuary of a handful of Spartans – our militiaman and the warriors of the Russian Emperor Alexander II – our liberator. Vazov said about the militiaman – the whole of Bulgaria is watching us now. The truth is that Bulgaria in every age watches each of us, because heroic epics are rare, but dignity and character are tested every day.“
This was stated by President Rumen Radev from Shipka Peak and then he noted that history is a lesson, heroism is inspiration, but no nation can rely on the laurels of its dead heroes.
„Power belongs to the people, but the people must uphold it. There is always someone to take it away from him, someone to forbid it and someone to ride it.“
The President added that our time will soon be in history, but it is up to us whether they will look back with anger or with gratitude for what we have done.
„Acts are needed, not words, as the Apostle said. Happy holiday to all of you, long live Bulgaria!”
Upon his arrival in Shipka, the head of state noted that once again the authorities have tried to quarantine our national memory, but the people have dignity. According to him, Bulgarians have sacred feelings, not subject to fear and prohibition. That is why I believe that we have a future as Bulgarians, he added.
