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

The Balkan crisis, as is well known, originated in 1875 with the uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the subsequent Serbo-Turkish War of 1876. The brutal Turkish reprisals against the Bulgarians and other Slavic peoples caused deep indignation throughout Europe. And these events were, of course, especially acute in Russia. At first, Russia provided assistance only through volunteers. And it would probably remain so. But then in 1876 came the April uprising of the Bulgarian people, which was bloodily suppressed. 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 a matter of 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 the 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 tomb of the Gurkos. Joseph Vladimirovich's name is associated with the Russian crossing of the Danube at Sistovo, the capture of the ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, the defense of Stara Zagora, and the difficult crossing of the Balkans with 70,000 men. Russian regiments under the command of Joseph Gurko, together with Bulgarian troops, defeated the Turks at Kazanlak and captured the city of Sofia.

Diana Alexieva, coordinator of the Immortal Regiment in Varna, noted in her speech to the conference participants: "For Bulgaria, Joseph 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 Bulgarian historical memory." The result was the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano between Russia and the Ottoman Empire on March 3, 1878. “What is the greatness of the deed of Joseph Gurko? 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 acquired the status of independent states,” said one of the conference participants, Alexander Butuzov, chairman of the Central Council of the Pedagogical Society of Russia. According to the peace treaty, Bulgaria actually became an independent state, and the independence of Montenegro, Serbia, and Romania was also recognized. The liberation of the Balkan peoples from the Ottoman yoke radically changed the political map of Europe and laid the foundations of modern statehood for the Balkan countries.

This period also became a time of the rise of the Russian Empire, as Archpriest Gennady Ulyanich, rector of the Church of St. Joseph of Volokolamsk: “It was truly a fateful time for all of Russia. All of Russia rose up, sacrificed, empathized and was united by a common patriotic spirit, which also provided support for our army, because the fighting was terrifying. The Ottoman Empire was one of the most powerful, most militarized and well-armed armies and practically included European countries - Germany, England and France. All of it was united, just like today.”

The unity of the Slavs, which once ensured victory and liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, could today become the salvation of all Slavic states. 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 for us, which is currently fighting against the Brussels fascism that its leaders, descendants of the Nazis, are trying to impose.”

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

orechnik24.net