27.04.2009
Ceremonial functions took place almost in every Bulgarian town. Main celebrations proceeded in Shipka and Pleven. Vice prime minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Daniel Vylchev, officers of the Russian embassy, chief executives of city authorities and representatives of ASE JSC placed wreaths and flowers at Freedom monument on Shipka hill and the General Skobelev memorial in Pleven. Atomstroyexport which executes the biggest project of Russian and Bulgarian cooperation that is construction of Belene NPP, became the title sponsor for construction of the General Skobelev memorial in Pleven. As President of ASE Sergey Shmatko said, “Support for the construction project of the General Skobelev memorial shows our profound respect for the history of both countries. Being aware of significance of Bulgarian liberation from the Ottoman yoke we believe that the time has come to restore cultural traditions. No one can dust the eyes of history, the time fixes everything. Today we move to the new stage of our relationship being firmly confident in connection solidity of our histories.” According to many Bulgarian historians the idea to build the memorial already emerged in the end of 19th century. And now the memorial granted to Pleven by Russia seats at the foot hills which witnessed over a century ago a struggle of Russian and Bulgarian people for liberation of Bulgaria. The General Skobelev memorial was created by the well-known Russian sculptor Vladimir Surovtsev.
