Култура

It is 116 years since the Serbo-Bulgarian War - an event as heroic for us Bulgarians, probably as sad, because our brave grandfathers were forced to fight against brotherly, Slavic people. The heroic exploits of the Bulgarian soldiers in this imposed war can be compared only with those of the volunteers of Shipka. What really happened in 1885?

Only 8 years have passed since the Liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish slavery. In a brilliant way, the Unification was carried out under the far-sighted leadership of Bulgarian-patriots, which came into sharp contradiction with the great powers. Immediately after the Unification, the danger was expected to come from our southern border. On it was piled a young Bulgarian army, led by captains - they are the biggest ranks in the army. Serbian King Milan, supported by his Western friends, on 2 November 1885. He ordered his large army, commanded by generals, surprisingly and treacherously to advance and storm the Bulgarian positions on our western border. Small military units are stationed here. Our border guards fought manfully and held the enemy forces for a time. The fighting and fighting is uneven. A Bulgarian stands against Serb sotikas. The Serbian king was confident of his victory, he planned to reach Sofia in a few days. Knyaz Alexander Battenberg was at that moment in the command post of the Bulgarian army in Slivnitsa. By telegram, he ordered the state treasure of Bulgaria to move from the capital to another city, and the archive of the palace to the German legaicia and to begin evacuating the state offices and military warehouses. But the chief of staff of the army, Captain Racho Petrov, opposed the telegram of the prince and decided in no way to retreat from Slivnitsa. The Council of Ministers agreed with the captain and that very evening authorized Stefan Stambolov to personally take this decision to the prince. Napoleon said, "Sometimes in war, one man is worth as much as all the others together." A great moment, before a great ordeal! On the seventh day of the war, a miracle occurred that once again stunned the world. The main Bulgarian forces from the Turkish border for 2-3 days walked more than 300 km in rain, storms and snow paws, reached Slivnitsa and without rest, threw themselves into the fight. The Balkan thunders from the "Shumi Maritsa" march, high rises the Bulgarian "Hurrah! Onward, on a knife!". The pointed bayonets of the Bulgarian army throw the Serbs into flight, they panic retreat. Still the ringing of the first church bells, which heralded general mobilization, instead of fear of the war woke up in the Bulgarians an unstoppable rush to save the fatherland. With each passing day our army grows, volunteers join, led by new and legendary voivods such as Panayot Hitov and many others. The other living militias took part in the war. The whole Bulgarian people rises as one. Over 100 students together with their teachers from Varna High School reached Slivnitsa - 17-8 years old, without any training, under the command of young sub-priors from the Military School, formed student platoons and entered the decisive battle - despite the command's order not to participate in the attack. Unfortunately, they all died along with their commanders. "The Bulgarian army can hardly be stopped," wrote the German military historian Capt. Mueller. In the battles around Slivnitsa, Gurgulyat, Graovo and Znepole around the clock runs the stream of volunteers from all Bulgarian lands, from Thrace, Moesia and Macedonia. The recently conquered Bulgarian territories have been liberated, our army is heading towards Belgrade. But the Bulgarian government and command were warned by the great powers to stop the powerful advance and so they saved the Serbian King Milan from complete defeat. The Serbo-Bulgarian war lasted only 15 days. For this short period, the Bulgarians stunned Europe, our warriors set a good example of how to keep a family and a homeland. It has become a tradition for the management of the Union of Officers and Sergeants from the Reserve - Velingrad have organized an auto-ride to the village. Gurgulyat, where again this year we will present wreaths and flowers to the majestic monument, erected in gratitude to the Bulgarian soldiers and volunteers who died for the Fatherland in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. Z. Polk. Daskalov, Chairman of SOSZ - Velingrad