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Unveiling the first monument to the Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski in Canada

October 29, 2017, Sunday

St. Dimitar Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, Brampton

Opening ceremony

On October 29, 2017, at the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church "St. Dimitar" in Brampton, the first monument to the Apostle of Freedom Vasil Levski in Canada was unveiled. The project was realized by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in Mississauga, Mr. Ignat Kanev; the parish council of BIPC "St. Dimitar" in Brampton, chaired by Mrs. Tsvetanka Hristoskova; with organizational support and coordination from the Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Toronto, Mr. Petar Kraichev; donations and contributions from numerous fellow citizens and associations of the Bulgarian community both in Canada and Bulgaria.

The festive ceremony was attended by the host and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in Mississauga, Mr. Ignat Kanev and Mrs. Dimitrina Kaneva; the Consul General in Toronto, Mr. Petar Kraichev; the Acting Ambassador in Ottawa, Mrs. Svetlana Stoycheva-Etropolski; the Acting Consul of the Consular Office in the Consulate General of Bulgaria, Mrs. Desislava Atanasova; the Honorary Chairman of BIPC "St. Dimitar" Dr. Konstantin Valchev; members of the parish council chaired by Mrs. Tsvetanka Hristoskova; Father Valeri Shumarov; the folklore ensemble "Dimitrovche" led by Mr. Dimitar Minkov; students of the "Kanev" Sunday School with director Mrs. Stamena Dimova; hundreds of Bulgarians, guests, contributors, representatives of the Karlovo community, media, etc. On behalf of the church, Mrs. Hristoskova presented certificates to the donors for the construction of the monument - created in the workshop of engineer Todor Ganarev and engineer Radiana Dervenska in Bulgaria - including the first donor and member of the church community "St. Dimitar" Mr. Marin Balinov from Manitoba.

In a warmly congratulatory address to the Bulgarian community on the occasion of the solemn event, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev, stated: "It is an honor for me to address you and congratulate you on the opening of the monument to Vasil Levski in Toronto! I am happy that the patriotic Bulgarian community, thanks to its energy and dedication, has brought this very Bulgarian initiative to a successful conclusion. The monument is a bright symbol that wherever the memory of the person and the deeds of this great Bulgarian is preserved, where there is humanity and patriotism, the Apostle will always live in our hearts. Vasil Levski is the testament and the direction that all Bulgarians should follow, no matter where in the world we are. Let us always remember that the most enduring monument to the Apostle is in the national consciousness and in following his precepts. Be well!" 

Welcome addresses were delivered by the Honorary Consul Mr. Ignat Kanev; the Consul General Mr. Petar Kraichev; the Acting Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ottawa Mrs. Svetlana Stoycheva-Etropolski; Dr. Konstantin Valchev, Honorary Chairman of BIPC "St. Dimitar" in Brampton; Mrs. Tsvetanka Hristoskova, chairperson of the parish council. After the performance of the anthems of the Republic of Bulgaria and Canada, the monument was ceremoniously unveiled. The consecration of the monument was performed by the parish priest Father Valeri Shumarov. As a token of gratitude to the Apostle and in expression of respect for his memory, wreaths and flowers were laid. The ceremony ended with a cultural program featuring performances by the dance ensemble "Dimitrovche" and recitals by Mrs. Michel Novakova and Mr. Simon Boshnakov from the "Kanev" Sunday School at BIPC "St. Dimitar".

The contribution was reported and gratitude was expressed to the numerous institutions, organizations, associations, individuals, and legal entities in Bulgaria and Canada who contributed to the construction of the monument to the Apostle of Freedom, including:

  • Honorary Consul Mr. Ignat Kanev, Mrs. Dimitrina Kaneva, the parish council of BIPC "St. Dimitar" chaired by Tsvetanka Hristoskova and Father Valeri Shumarov; Consul General Mr. Petar Kraichev and GC-Toronto for their organizational and coordination role in the project;

  • Institutional support from the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev, the Bulgarian government with Prime Minister Mr. Boyko Borisov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Ekaterina Zaharieva;

  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the America Directorate with Director Mr. Chavdar Zhechev, the Ministry of Culture, etc.;

  • Mrs. Dora Chausheva, Director of the National Museum "Vasil Levski" in Karlovo, whose assistance helped in drafting the concept for the monument's construction in April 2017;

  • Engineer Todor Ganarev and Engineer Radiana Dervenska, who created a unique work of art with high cultural, historical, and artistic value specifically for Bulgarians in Canada;

  • The logistical partner of the initiative DHL Express Bulgaria with Executive Director Mr. Rumen Ivanov and Operational Logistics Coordinator Mr. Georgi Stoev.

  • The engineering and technical group on site in Canada led by Mr. Georgi Nikolov;

  • All Bulgarians, well-wishers, and donors in Bulgaria and Canada, as well as the media partner "Bulgarian Horizons", who contributed to the successful implementation of this historic project.​

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