Speaker of Parliament Tsveta Karayancheva, EP President Antonio Tajani, MPs and MEPs paid tribute to the memory of Vasil Levski. They attended a commemorative ceremony in Brussels for the 145th anniversary of Levski’s death in front of his bas-relief at the building of the Consular Section of the Bulgarian Embassy.

Today we honour the death of a saint, the Apostle of Bulgarian freedom, said Speaker of Parliament Tsveta Karayancheva. He was a person who lived ahead of his time, a person who can be compared to the purest, brightest and wisest minds around the world, she added. For 145 years he has been our wail and hail, judge and consolation, sermon and resurrection, added the Speaker of Parliament. As a result of his death we are now aware that the Bulgarian spirit is unconquerable, that we are free, respectable and righteous, emphasised Tsveta Karayancheva.

EP President Antonio Tajani said that Levski was a European hero who had fought for the liberty of his people.

He added that the messages of the Apostle were relevant to this day, because freedom, democracy and dialogue were the right prospect for Europe and all of us. Bulgarian heroes are also European heroes and that is why I am here with you today at the Bulgarian Consular Section, in front of Vasil Levski’s bas-relief, in order to pay respect to all men and women who lost their lives for the freedom of Bulgaria, added Antonio Tajani.

Students from the Bulgarian school “Peyo Yavorov” at the Bulgarian Embassy recited poems dedicated to the Apostle. Flowers were laid at Vasil Levski’s bas-relief.