At the national conference marking the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, Panagyurishte Mayor Zhelyazko Gagov addressed attendees. Organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) at the Panagyurishte History Museum, Gagov urged Bulgarians to honor the legacy of the common people who became historical figures during the uprising. He suggested that the anniversary should serve as a moment for national reflection on unity and pride.
Gagov noted the timing of the commemorations coinciding with an election cycle, drawing a contrast between contemporary political leadership and that of the past, a comparison he stated was unfavorable to the present. For him, the anniversary should achieve two goals: establishing a genuinely national commemoration, mirroring the original aspirations of the uprising, and enabling the public to understand history as a source of national pride. Gagov expressed that Bulgarians currently exhibit a “deficit of pride,” viewing the anniversary as a chance to recall ancestral accomplishments, emphasizing that current generations share the same roots.
He contrasted the modern focus of youth on social media with the dedication of the 1876 revolutionaries, who were preparing for sacrifice. The mayor stressed that the heroes of the April Uprising were ordinary individuals, not mythical figures, and called for their legacy to be understood in tangible, human terms. He concluded by urging Bulgarians to emulate the example of those “ordinary people whom history made great.” This conference is part of a broader BTA initiative marking the 150th anniversary of the uprising.
Topics: #april #uprising #heroes
