St George’s Day is among the most celebrated holidays in Bulgaria. Apart from the over 200 000 Bulgarians who bear the name George and its derivatives, St George is also the patron saint of the Bulgarian army.

Carried away in the spirit of holiday celebrations, rich festive tables and cheers for the name-day, Bulgarians sometimes forget to think about the true meaning of this National holiday: May 6, the day of bravery and the day of the Bulgarian army.

Everyday life rarely gives us occasions to think about courage, a trait we associate with historical figures and movie characters. It is an innate quality that manifests itself in many ways - not all of them heroic deeds or fierce battles on the field of war.

• St. George's Day beyond the festive table and the military parades

Courage nowadays is often associated with having the integrity to speak up, even when many do not share your opinion or find it difficult to agree with.

To be brave is “when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do,” says lawyer and political scientist Lidiya Daskalova, quoting a favorite extract from the book "To Kill a Mockingbird".

This is a perfect definition of the word bravery. One needs to fight for what one believes, to defend one's cause, and even if initially all alone.With every small victory you achieve or small good you do for someone, you attract more associates who may take up your cause."

"You don't have to be a superhero or a world leader to be bold. Courage can be shown every day, even with small acts, you just need the will to do it," the young woman adds and subtly turns the conversation to one of the hottest topics in recent weeks - Bulgaria's provision of military aid to Ukraine.

"We need to realize that sometimes politics should be guided by principles and not just by perpetual trade-offs. This arm-twisting, which we have witnessed from the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the only coalition partner opposed to the provision of military aid to Ukraine, seems to me too inappropriate at a time when the country has no need for new elections," Lydia is adamant.

The hesitancy with which our country approaches solving a number of strategic issues, both today and in the past, too often puts it at a disadvantage during negotiations with EU countries, but also with strategic partners outside the EU.

"We are constantly faced with the dilemma whether to take a firm position or better to bow our heads and stay neutral, as has been repeatedly pointed out", the young Bulgarian recalls the messages in the ongoing debate in Bulgarian society. - I sincerely believe that this strategy of humiliation and insecurity will come to an end because Bulgaria has the potential to be among the leading countries in the EU, by trying to build on its achievements, instead of yielding. It is important to make this much clearer", says Lidiya Daskalova, a member of the Political Science Student Club.

English version: Elizabeth Radkova