September 22, 2009

On Independence Day - September 22, National Assembly Chairwoman Tsetska Tsacheva paid a visit to the town of Veliko Turnovo’s High School of Humanities “St. Cyril and Methodius”. Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva was in Veliko Turnovo to participate in the solemn celebration of the 101-th anniversary of the Declaration proclaiming the Independence of Bulgaria.

At a special ceremony at the school, the speaker of the 41-th National Assembly donated on behalf of parliament to the town’s Regional Historical Museum an exhibition dedicated to the Independence. Before its opening in the museum, the exhibition will be presented at the “St. Cyril and Methodius” school.The materials of the exhibition were prepared by the State Archives Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary since Bulgaria’s Independence.

Tsetska Tsacheva awarded the Director of the School Tamara Draganova with the honorary medal «130 years National Assembly» and donated books to the school library.

Later, the president of the Bulgarian Parliament attended a discussion with students - members of the Club "Preserve the Bulgarian".

I am full with faith and optimism, because the legacy of our forefathers will not be forgotten, as long as our young and decent new generations jealously guard, celebrate and studie the great cause of the multitude of Bulgarians who during the turbulent 19 th century proved that the independence of Bulgaria is a national cause, said National Assembly President at the meeting.

Answering a student’s question, Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva noted that today Bulgaria is as much independent as it was before the country joined the European Union, because in her view "EU is truly a community of independent states, which can appreciate and respect their own and foreign sovereignty”.

"Inspired by the great work of our ancestors, let us be worthy progeny of their ability to build and create their own history, along with the strong European countries. Let us prove that Bulgaria could be an independent and respected country", wrote Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva in the School of Humanities “St. Cyril and Methodius” honorary guests’ book.

National Assembly President Tsetska Tsacheva took part in the official fireworks and festivities dedicated to the 101-th Anniversary of the Independence of Bulgaria.

It is even more clear that independence is one of the vital characteristics of a modern state at the beginning of 21 st century, stated in her speech the President of the Bulgarian Parliament.

Independence is also a supreme civic value. Only a community of free citizens can formulate and gain independence as a national cause, "said Tsetska Tsacheva.
For already more than a century the independence of Bulgaria, won through suffering, is the source and basis for national pride, she added. According to her, there is hardly anyone among enlightened Bulgarians who is not deeply convinced that independence is a supreme value – of national, political and state importance. Thus, every nation state seeks and finds its identity, Mrs. Tsacheva concluded.

Regardless of the difficulties that we encounter, the glory of the events that occurred 101 years ago are to brighten the hopes and confidence of the Bulgarian people for the centuries to come. The greatness of this day will always inspire national optimism in every citizen of our country and contribute to its worthy European future, said Tsetska Tsacheva.