Kiril Valchev, Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), stated that discussions surrounding the 1876 April Uprising serve to commemorate the martyrs who fought for Bulgarian freedom. He made these remarks at the opening of a conference marking the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising at the Historical Museum in Panagyurishte. This event concluded a series of discussions organized by BTA across several key centers of the revolutionary period, including Veliko Tarnovo, Sliven, Vratsa, Panagyurishte, Ruse, and Giurgiu.
During the conferences, Valchev noted that the primary lesson drawn from the uprising is the necessity of establishing overarching objectives before undertaking difficult steps. He emphasized that the discussions concluded that even perceived failures ultimately contributed to Bulgaria’s success: its freedom. Valchev also stressed the significant role of media in shaping public opinion, drawing parallels to the impact of the April Uprising across Europe.
The talks drew on historical records, including excerpts from Zahari Stoyanov’s Notes on the Bulgarian Uprisings. These provided guidance for leadership, advising that leaders must remain active, avoid personal gain, and shield their followers from despair. Valchev recounted the extensive preparatory events, which began in December and included ceremonies in Giurgiu and Ruse, as well as discussions in Vratsa and Sliven.
Looking ahead, Valchev announced that BTA plans to continue these discussions internationally in Bucharest, Belgrade, and Odesa. Furthermore, he announced that the 2026 Meeting of Bulgarian Media, organized by BTA, will focus specifically on the theme of “Media and Leaders.”
Topics: #bta #april #uprising
