Russe, Bulgaria – Three Bulgarian families with children were joined by a group of mostly young people from Romania to participate in a UPF Peace Road event in Russe, on the Bulgarian side of the Romanian-Bulgarian border, on November 2, 2024. The event started with lunch in a restaurant in Russe, where the opening ceremony and special sisterhood ceremony were held.
Participants were divided into small groups to make it easier to bond and develop relationships. The group members exchanged presents and walked together during the event and several made a commitment to stay in contact, with a view to future cooperation.
The groups explored Russe on foot and visited the most important sights of the city, distributing flyers in two languages (Bulgarian and Romanian) to passers-by and explaining the meaning of the Peace Road. A small booklet was distributed among the participants with UPF founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s explanation of the International Peace Highway.
The peace walk concluded on the banks of the Danube River, which marks the border between the two countries. Because of time limits and the early autumn darkness, it was not possible to cross the bridge of friendship connecting the two countries, but a plan was made to continue the project next spring on the other side of the river in Giurgiu.
On November 23, twenty-one days after this event, Bulgarian, Romanian, Hungarian and Austrian government representatives met in Budapest to sign a declaration prior to a final decision, expected on December 12, when Bulgaria and Romania will almost certainly become part of the Schengen Area, and it will be possible to cross the bridge without passport control.
The event was greatly enjoyed by all, as reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback praising all aspects of the event, from the food and hospitality to the overall organization.
Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet and become better acquainted with those from a different country and to experience hope for peace and unity.
