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Speech by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

 
Ambassador Genka Georgieva,
Excellencies,
Dear friends,
Today, we are celebrating Bulgaria’s national day. 
It commemorates the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878.
This led to the re-establishment of Bulgarian statehood. 

But it became an official holiday in 1990, after Bulgaria had again regained its freedom.
Two years later, Bulgaria became a member state of the Council of Europe.
Since then, Bulgaria has been a keen supporter of our values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
But all of these are recent events, and in fact, Bulgaria’s rich and varied history stretches back through millennia.
Bulgaria was the cradle of the Thracian civilization
In recent years, Bulgaria has excavated numerous incredible objects, linked the Thracians.

Of course, the most famous ancient Thracian is undoubtedly Spartacus.
He led a slave revolt — a revolt in the name of human rights.

And perhaps he saw — or even handled — similar treasures to those featured in these 26 posters.
The objects depicted demonstrate the exceptional artistry that existed in Bulgaria, thousands of years ago.
Seeing these, we can all learn more about the history of Bulgaria — and the oldest gold treasures in existence — more than 6000 years old.

The centrepiece is the world-famous Panagyurishte treasure, which dates from at least three centuries BC.
It has been displayed in museums all over the world, and it is a delight to see its image here at the Council of Europe.
Let me at the end use the opportunity to thank the team at the Institute of Balkan Studies and Centre of Thracology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
They put this exhibition together under the National Scholarly Program of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, “Development and Promotion of Bulgarian Studies Abroad”. 

It is presented here in partnership with the State Institute for Culture to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.

So it gives me great pleasure to open this exhibition of its ancient treasures.
And I congratulate Bulgaria on the occasion of your national day.

And I congratulate you, Ambassador Georgieva, and all who have brought this interesting exhibition here to Strasbourg.