Memory of the fallen honoured at Bulgarian military cemetery in Novo Selo
07 May 2013 News
On May 6, the Day of Valour and the Day of the Bulgarian Army, the “Bulgarian Memory” Foundation and the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje organised a pilgrimage to the military cemetery in Novo Selo, Macedonia.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Embassy and the Foundation were the initiators of paying tribute, on this great day, to the sacrifices of the officers and other ranks who died for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria. Those who came to pay their respects to the fallen at Novo Selo included Dr Milen Vrabevski, chairman of the Bulgarian Memory Foundation; Andrey Kovachev, Member of the European Parliament and Deputy Chairman of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee; His Grace the Metropolitan of Struma, Naum; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria; the Deputy Mayor of Sofia, Dr Todor Tchobanov; and Bulgarian diplomats. The Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Macedonia, Ivan Petkov, gave a welcoming address on behalf of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Marin Raykov.
“On May 6, as we celebrate the Day of the Bulgarian Army and honour its heavenly patron, St George the Conqueror, we pay tribute to the bravery, heroism and patriotism of Bulgarian officers, sergeants and soldiers. This day is also an occasion to honour the memory of all those Bulgarians who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria. Our reverence for the sacrifice of our ancestors, of all who selflessly and honestly defended with their lives our present and future, is one of the criteria for civilisation, for a modern and European interpretation of our common history. The annual tribute to their memory on May 6 is a good example of joint celebration of a Christian holiday in the perspective of our good-neighbourly European future. History should not divide us, but help to build a relationship of understanding and friendship. Bow to the memory and heroism of the Bulgarian soldier!” said the message of greetings from Bulgarian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Marin Raykov.
Participants in the ceremony included a representative company of the National Guard Unit, which paid military honours to the memory of the fallen, the children’s choir and wind orchestra of the Lyubomir Pipkov National Music School in Sofia; the Yulangelo vocal ensemble and many Bulgarians from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and Serbia.
More photos
