September 22, 2008

National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski took part, on September 22nd 2008, in the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Independence of Bulgaria at Veliko Turnovo.
The ceremony on the consecrationof the National flag of the Republic of Bulgaria at Tsarevets Hill was attended by the National Assembly Chairman and members of parliament. They laid wreaths and flowers in front of the monument, dedicated to the Independence and joined the solemn parade from the fortress “Tsarevets” to the monument “Mother Bulgaria”.

At Veliko Turnovo, National Assembly Chairman opened the documentary exhibitions titled: “One hundred years since the declaration of the Independence of Bulgaria” and the “Symbols of Bulgarian Statehood” The exhibitions were organized by the Archives State Agency , the Ministry of Culture and the Turnovo Regional Historic Museum. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Prime Minister and by members of the Bulgarian parliament and people from all over the country.

In his opening address Georgi Pirinski stated:

“Honorable Mr. President,
Honorable Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear Colleagues from Parliament,
Dear Organizers of these wonderful exhibitions,
My Fellow Countrymen, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my particular privilege and honor to be able to inaugurate, on this Independence Day, the exhibitions showing the symbols of the Bulgarian State, the relics of the Bulgarian Independence and the special philatelic marking of the glorious anniversary.

I am not the connoisseur historian who can explain to you the whole richness and meaning of the symbols, here presented, but I was asking myself what is the common thread between the exhibitions. On my opinion, this is the touch to the memory of Bulgaria, to its history from the Middle Ages, from the period of the Revival, from the times when the state was trying to rebuild, up to the contemporary Bulgarian state – the symbols of her presence and existence throughout history. The exhibition on the occasion of the100th anniversary, on the other hand, shows the tremendous efforts needed to fill in the symbols with real substance.

The 100th anniversary since Bulgaria was declared independent comes at one very important and crucial moments in our country’s development. We face now new, unfamiliar to us, opportunities to develop as a genuine modern European state, the bearer of culture and centuries long traditions and aptitudes for contemporary and competitive development in the present world.”
That makes very big, the responsibility of all of us entitled to serve our state and people to make so that our society is respected in the World, to make so that we enhance our self respect and be worthy to perpetuate our rich heritage.

Thank You!
Happy Celebration!”