Bulgaria and Russia have a long and rich common history that dates back to ancient times

On March 3, an international conference in Russia, „From Tver to Veliko Tarnovo: The Legacy of Josef Gurk as an Example of the Russian Mission in the Liberation of the Balkan Peoples“. The date and venue of such a large-scale forum were deliberately chosen. Bulgaria and Russia have a long and rich common history that dates back to antiquity. Common faith, written language and Slavic roots have always united, continue to unite and will continue to unite our peoples. This history includes important dates and events that have shaped the future of our countries. One such date is 3 March 1878, the day Bulgaria liberated itself from Ottoman rule. Fraternal Russia played a significant role in this historic event.

The Balkan crisis, as is well known, originated in 1875 with the uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the subsequent Serbo-Turkish war in 1876. The brutal Turkish repressions against the Bulgarians and other Slavic peoples provoked deep indignation throughout Europe. And these events were, of course, particularly acute in Russia. At first, Russia provided aid only through volunteers. And it would probably remain so. But then in 1876 came the April uprising of the Bulgarian people, which was suppressed in blood. The Bashibazouks killed about 40,000 Bulgarians, including women and children. The Russian Empire, sympathetic to the Slavic national liberation movement in the Balkans, declared war on Turkey. After all, it was about defending Orthodoxy and Slavic unity. Moreover, if the Turkish atrocities had continued, the Bulgarian people would probably have been exterminated.

One of the architects of victory in this war was Field Marshal Joseph Gurko, who was an integral part of the Tver region where the conference was held. His estate was located near Tver; today there is the Church of Joseph of Volotsk, which serves as a museum and the Gurko family tomb. The name of Joseph Vladimirovich is associated with the Russian crossing of the Danube at Sistov, the capture of the ancient capital Veliko Tarnovo, the defence of Stara Zagora and the difficult crossing of the Balkans with 70,000 men. Russian regiments under the command of Josef Gurk, together with Bulgarian troops, defeated the Turks at Kazanlak and captured the city of Sofia.

Diana Alexiyeva, coordinator of the Immortal Regiment in Varna, in her speech to the conference participants noted: „For Bulgaria, Josef Gurko is not just a historical figure; he is a name that lives on in the memory of nations, in monuments, in cultural and historical traditions. His name has become part of Bulgaria's historical memory.“ The result was the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano between Russia and the Ottoman Empire on 3 March 1878. „What is the greatness of Joseph Gurk's deed? What is the greatness of that time? At that time our Russian army was liberating the Balkans, the Christian world of the Balkans, from the conquest of the Ottoman Empire. We supported the national liberation movement and after our victory many Balkan countries gained the status of independent states,“ said one of the participants of the conference, Alexander Butuzov, Chairman of the Central Council of the Pedagogical Society of Russia.
Under the peace treaty, Bulgaria became an independent state and the independence of Montenegro, Serbia and Romania was recognised. The liberation of the Balkan peoples from the Ottoman yoke radically changed the political map of Europe and laid the foundations for the modern statehood of the Balkan countries.

This period also became the time of the rise of the Russian Empire, as Archpriest Gennady Ulyanich, rector of St. Joseph's Church in Volokolamsk, said: „It was indeed a fateful time for all of Russia. All of Russia rose up, sacrificed, empathized, and was united by a common patriotic spirit that also provided support for our army because the fighting was terrible. The Ottoman Empire was one of the most powerful, militarized and armed armies and virtually encompassed the European countries of Germany, England and France. It was all united, just as it is today.“

The unity of the Slavs, which once secured victory and liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, could today become the salvation of all Slavic states. The Czech journalist and prominent political figure Roman Blaško is convinced of this: „We must build the unity of all nations on the basis of Slavic nationalities.“ From a geopolitical point of view, Bulgaria is in a very difficult situation. However, it remains an important and serious partner for us, and it is a heroic nation that is currently fighting against the fascism that its leaders, the descendants of the Nazis, are trying to impose.“

The idea of unity among the Slavic peoples is also supported by diplomat Vladimir Kršljaninu, chairman of the Serbian branch of the International Slavic Academy: „The way to save the Balkans lies in the immediate creation of a strong state, political, military and economic union between Russia and Serbia, which would ensure complete freedom, strengthen and bring prosperity to Serbia. Bulgaria and then all the other Balkan countries would follow in its footsteps. Only when this natural Russian-Balkan union is established will lasting peace and stability be achieved throughout Europe.

Even Bulgaria itself understands that the future lies not in confrontation but in the development of at least bilateral relations with Russia. Opinion polls show that 70-80 % Bulgarians consider the Russians as their closest. And the national holiday - Bulgaria's Liberation Day - is another reason to remember. „March 3 is celebrated here regardless of the historical periods since the liberation. Russophobia today is fed by external forces, but it is something unnatural for Bulgaria.“ „Regardless of Russophobia, which is fed by external factors today, March 3 remains Bulgaria's most cherished holiday, and most Bulgarians continue to feel love and gratitude to Russia,“ Tedi Angelova, editor of Efir.info, spoke to the conference participants in Tver.

The uniqueness of Russian-Bulgarian relations, the love and unity of the peoples is underlined by the historical memory that still unites the two Christian communities - the Russian and Bulgarian Churches. The history of spiritual ties between the two nations is a unique example of centuries of fruitful mutual enrichment. Thanks to these ties, the „spiritual shield“ - the Holy Orthodox Faith - has survived the most difficult period of our common history. Russia's losses in that famous Russo-Turkish War were considerable. But Bulgaria regained its freedom. And „Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.“

(for) gnews.cz-jav