At a national conference marking the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, Panagyurishte Mayor Zhelyazko Gagov addressed attendees organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). Speaking at the Panagyurishte History Museum, Gagov urged Bulgarians to recognize themselves as worthy inheritors of the ordinary citizens who became heroes during the historic events. Gagov stated that the anniversary should serve as a prompt for reflection on national unity and pride.
He noted that the commemorations took place amid an active election campaign, prompting him to draw a contrast between contemporary political leadership and that of the past. According to the mayor, the anniversary should be observed for two primary reasons: to establish a truly national commemoration, mirroring the original aims of the uprising, and to help the populace reconnect with history as a source of national pride. He suggested that the Bulgarian people currently exhibit a “deficit of pride,” and that the anniversary offers a crucial opportunity to recall the achievements of their ancestors, emphasizing the shared roots of current generations.
Gagov further contrasted the youthful revolutionaries of 1876 with today’s youth, noting that while modern generations engage with social media, their predecessors were focused on sacrifice. The mayor stressed that the figures of the April Uprising were not mythical but real people, calling for their legacy to be understood on a human level. He concluded by urging Bulgarians to emulate the example set by those “ordinary people whom history made great.” The conference is part of a broader series of discussions organized by BTA as part of the “14 Centuries of Bulgaria in Europe” initiative.
Topics: #april #uprising #heroes
