“The war between Russia and Turkey that lead to the freedom of Bulgaria is one of the most honest and just wars of the 19th century in Europe”, said the Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov in his speech during the ceremonial reveille for March 3rd – the National holiday of Bulgaria that marks the Bulgarian freedom.

“When the count Ignatiev threatened the Ottoman Empire to either free Bulgaria or face war, it was clear to everyone that this was a fateful struggle for the future and freedom of Bulgarians. This is the 131st anniversary of the epochal ending of this struggle, which lead to the historical treaty of San Stephano.

We have our reasons to confirm what we said back then – that the war between Russia and Turkey was one of the most honest and just wars of the 19th century in Europe. A war that is not remembered for treaties and documents, but is deeply ingrained in every Bulgarian as the war for freedom. The war that brought the salvation of a tortured nation after five centuries of slavery.”