A conference marking the 150th anniversary of the 1876 April Uprising concluded at the History Museum in Panagyurishte. This event was the final session in a series of discussions organized by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) across several revolutionary districts. Participants included BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, BNR Director General Milen Mitev, Rector of Sofia University Prof.
Georgi Valchev, Panagyurishte Mayor Zhelyazko Gagov, journalist Boyko Vassilev, and museum director Assoc. Prof. Atanas Shopov.
During the event, BTA Director General Valchev stated that the discussions aim to revive the memory of the martyrs of the April Uprising. He noted that the consensus reached emphasized the need to define overarching goals before tackling the necessary steps. BNR Director General Mitev stressed the critical role of media in public discourse, arguing that media outlets must actively connect with their audiences.
He cautioned that national pride must be cultivated responsibly, acknowledging that history and pride can be manipulated for various purposes. Prof. Valchev advised viewing history as an ongoing process rather than merely commemorating past events.
He identified three key lessons from 1876: the desire for self-determination, belief in a national future, and the importance of the younger generation taking responsibility. Mayor Gagov urged Bulgarians to view the anniversary as a call for unity, emphasizing that the heroes of the uprising were ordinary people whose legacy should be understood in human terms. Boyko Vassile
Topics: #anniversary #april #uprising
