Central European Midday Report: "Commemorations Highlight Eastern Europe's Historical and Political Milestones"

Bulgarian National Pilgrimage Commemorates the First Grand National Assembly at Oborishte:

Thousands of patriotic Bulgarians gathered for a national pilgrimage to the historic site of Oborishte, where the First Bulgarian Grand National Assembly was established in April 1876. During the assembly, the delegates decided to declare the April Uprising. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Rositsa Kirova, delivered a ceremonial speech, emphasizing the importance of the event and its impact on Bulgaria's fight for freedom.

Kirova reflected on the legacy of the first deputies, calling them "angels, the most honest and ideal personalities among the people." She urged present-day national representatives to uphold the dedication and loyalty to the Fatherland shown by their predecessors. The ceremony included the laying of wreaths and flowers at the "Oborishte" memorial, as well as a military ceremony by the Vasyl Levski student battalion and a church ritual led by priests from the Panagyurishte spiritual area.

President Maia Sandu Celebrates 20th Anniversary of EU Expansion, Looks Forward to Moldova's Membership:

The 20th anniversary of the most extensive expansion of the European Union was celebrated on May 1, 2024, marking the addition of ten new member states: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary. The expansion united a divided continent and brought over 70 million citizens under the EU umbrella, creating a larger, more diverse, and prosperous Union.

In a statement, President Maia Sandu of Moldova highlighted the benefits of the expansion, including a doubling of real wages, a halving of poverty levels, and a four-year increase in life expectancy. Sandu expressed her vision for Moldova to join the EU, stating that membership would provide a better life for Moldovans and is a crucial opportunity for peace and prosperity that requires daily effort to achieve.