Author: Liubomir Veselinov, 26.02.2013
Belogradchik solemnly celebrated the 135th anniversary of its Liberation from Ottoman rule. The event was visited by His Excellency, the Romanian ambassador Anton Pakuretsu, Lyubomila Stanislavova and Vladimir Toshev, MP’s from the GERB party, Kosta Grivov and Gligore Gerdjanu – Romania’s consul in Vidin and cultural attaché at the Romanian embassy, Elka Georgieva – Deputy district governor, the Higher Reverend Protoiereus Rafail, a delegation from the twin municipality of Knyazhevats from Serbia, headed by Dr. Lyubitsa Nikolic – Deputy municipal mayor. The event was also attended by representatives of public institutions, businesses, and the general public in the town.
In the early afternoon on the festive day an exhibition was unveiled at the town’s art gallery, with the kind assistance of the Romanian embassy, featuring photos under the motto of Danube – the Real River. A travelling exhibition, for which Belogradchik is the sixth host town. The beauty of Europe’s largest river was captured by the cameras of six recognized and established authors from Bulgaria, Romania, France, and Austria. The exposition includes 35 photos and reveals the inimitable flora and fauns of the Danube river in its lower course, where it slows its pace and spreads out slowly and magnificently. The exhibition was organized at the initiative of WWF – Bulgaria and is under the aegis of H.E. Anton Pakuretsu.
On occasion of the holiday protoiereus Rafail served a commemorative memorial service to honor the memory of all heroes killed in the Liberation war and those killed for the liberation of Belogradchik. Laurels and flowers were laid by the celebration organizers and visitors at the graves of the ringleaders of the 1850 uprising, which was centered on Belogradchik.
The celebration continued at the Youth House in the town, where in his speech the mayor Boris Nikolov spoke about the military actions of the last months preceding the liberation and concluded by saying: „On this day, February 25, 135 years ago Belogradchik residents welcomed their liberators with bread and salt, chanting “Hurrah!” and “Long Live!”, and a festive church service at the St. George Church, and 21 artillery salvos!”
Boris Nikolov, mayor of Belogradchik municipality
Our town’s Historical Museum houses a beautifully shaped document where on the following message is inscribed: „Citizen, do not forget that Russian and Romanian victorius troops entered Belogradchik on February 12/25, Monday, and as of that date your town started living in freedom”.
Those present were addressed with celebratory speeches by H.E. Anton Pakuretsu, Lyubomila Stanislavova, Elka Georgieva, and Dr. Lyubitsa Nikolic. Congratulatory addresses were read on behalf of Bulgaria’s President Rossen Plevneliev and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov.
The celebration ended with a culture program involving the children from the Iglika kindergarten, the Art Speech club, a singing group, and the Folk Dance school
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