Honoring the heroes at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier
Vice President Iliana Iotova and President Rumen Radev solemnly marked May 9 by laying flowers at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Sofia. The gesture is in memory of the thousands of Bulgarian soldiers who gave their lives in the fight against Nazism.
Europe Day and the hope for peace
The celebrations continued with a ceremony for raising the European Union flag in front of the presidential institution. Iliana Iotova emphasized the significance of the holiday:
"On this day, we celebrate the victory in World War II and the peace that the founders of Europe dreamed of. Our duty is to bequeath this same peace to our children."
Messages from the state leadership
President Rumen Radev highlighted the historical importance of the date:
- May 9 is a symbol of the rejection of the use of force on the Old Continent.
- The European Union has a moral duty to be a factor for peace in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
- Victory Day opened the door to the hope for the peaceful development of European nations.
The event was also attended by Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov, political leaders, and representatives of military-patriotic organizations.