March 3 became a tool for undermining Bulgarian sovereignty through the myth of gratitude and debt to the "liberator". What is more patriotic than bowing down to your dependence while talking about freedom?
Since Russia attacked Ukraine and the war against the aggressor entered its fourth year, the celebrations on Mount Shipka for March 3 have been taken over by demonstrations by national populist-Russophiles, and the holiday has been used for purposes hostile to national unity and sovereignty.
Separation triumphs
Separation triumphs on the summit, defended with the lives of thousands of Russian soldiers, officers, and Bulgarian volunteers who died during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). Where it is good to be silent for the sake of the memory of the warriors, in recent years boos and cries of “Resignation!” have been heard and snowballs are flying (2022 - just a week after Russia invaded Ukraine). Russian flags began to fly with impunity on Shipka precisely in 2022, and tensions escalated even more the following year and the year after.
Protests began in the capital and other cities, again with Russian flags raised together with the national tricolors and inscriptions in Bulgarian and Russian "Grateful Bulgaria" - all this was willingly broadcast by state-run pro-Russian media. Some of these demonstrations were organized by activists of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, currently a partner in the ruling coalition.
March 3 became a tool for undermining national sovereignty
Russian propaganda formatted messages about the eternal Russian contribution to Bulgarian statehood and the protection of Bulgarian interests from "external" - of course European - influences. Apart from idolatrous gratitude instilled in generations of Bulgarians from school, there is nothing else to suggest from these manipulations and distorted historical narratives spread by certain politicians, journalists and other public speakers.
March 3rd, a holiday created to celebrate Russia's state-building role, as September 9th was, has become a convenient tool for undermining national sovereignty through myths of eternal dependence and debt to the "liberator". In order to preserve this tool, associates of President Rumen Radev created the "March 3rd" Movement - and put him on standby until he himself decides where to direct his political ambitions as the end of his term approaches.
In the shadow of the aggressor
Three years after the start of the war in Ukraine, March 3 will be celebrated in conditions of hesitant Bulgarian positions, in which the government and political forces, with the exception of “We continue the change” and “Democratic Bulgaria”, avoid naming Russia as the aggressor and condemning it.
In 2022, the 47th parliament did not hesitate to do so with its declaration of February 24, condemning “the gross violation of international law by the Russian Federation and the encroachment on territorial integrity through military intervention against Ukraine”. Three years later, the 51st National Assembly voted a declaration "on non-participation of Bulgarian armed forces in military operations on the territory of Ukraine", which nowhere mentions the aggressor Russia, but calls for lasting peace and the participation of "all parties affected and interested in establishing and preserving security and stability in Europe in the negotiations to achieve it".
With the exception of the months in which caretaker cabinets appointed by the president were in power, the head of state and the executive branch invariably differed in their positions on Russian aggression in Ukraine. Rumen Radev expressed cautious and even pro-Russian opinions, questioning the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia, declaring himself against military aid to Ukraine and persistent in his calls for a "cessation" of the war and the search for a peaceful solution. This inconsistency and hesitation not only isolated Bulgaria from the main European front in support of Ukraine, but also left it outside any significant strategic alliances.
Bulgaria is in its favorite posture of condescension
Only a day later, however, at the summit in London, the leaders of Europe and Canada clearly showed that support for peace is not enough - it must be just and lasting, and confirmed European solidarity with Volodymyr Zelensky. At this time, Bulgaria is once again melting into its eternal servility and favorite posture of condescension, which politicians call the “balanced position“. In fact, fear and evasion of responsibility, which leaves the country isolated from the events that determine the future of the world.
But when did Bulgaria sit at the table where this future was decided? It was not even present at the San Stefano Preliminary Peace Treaty. Nevertheless, it celebrates March 3 with a solemn torch-inspection, wreaths, speeches and the usual thanks. And on Shipka, along with the Bulgarian tricolors, the party flags of “Vazrazhdane”, which supports US President Trump “in his quest to restore world peace”, and Russian flags will fly. What could be more patriotic than bowing down to your dependence while talking about freedom?
This comment expresses the personal opinion of the author and may not coincide with the positions of the Bulgarian editorial office and DW as a whole.