At a national conference marking the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, Panagyurishte Mayor Zhelyazko Gagov addressed attendees at the Panagyurishte History Museum. Gagov urged Bulgarians to emulate the ordinary citizens who became historical figures during the uprising. He stated that the anniversary should serve as a moment for national reflection on unity and pride.
The mayor noted the timing of the commemorations, drawing a contrast between contemporary political leadership and that of the past, a comparison he stated was unfavorable to the current political climate. According to Gagov, the anniversary should serve two primary purposes: to ensure the commemoration is genuinely national, mirroring the aspirations of the uprising itself, and to enable the public to revisit history as a source of collective pride. Gagov argued that Bulgarians currently experience a “deficit of pride,” making the anniversary a crucial opportunity to recall the accomplishments of their forebears, whom he asserted share the same roots with current generations.
He contrasted the youth of 1876, who prepared for sacrifice, with today’s youth, who he observed are focused on social media. The mayor emphasized that the heroes of the April Uprising were tangible individuals, not mythical figures, and called for their legacy to be understood on a human level, stating, “They are us.” He urged Bulgarians to uphold the example set by those “ordinary people whom history made great.”
This conference is part of a larger initiative by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and others to observe the 150th anniversary, fitting within the “14 Centuries of Bulgaria in Europe” program.
Topics: #april #uprising #heroes
