Madame Ambassador, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
If I am to put Magna Carta in one sentence that sentence would be:
Magna Carta is the North Star of modern legal civilization.
We Bulgarians are sincerely excited by the great events of European history. But our soul is easily disturbed by the memory that for quite some time we have been outside the main stream of history. That Bulgarian sense of main stream absence has turned into a discreet instinct for “adoption” of other nations’ great deeds. Magna Carta of 1215 is one of those adopted deeds in the Bg perception for European affiliation.
Last February I had the exceptional privilege to attend the Global Law Summit in London for the 800 anniversary of Magna Carta. I asked a prominent London lawyer to recommend a book on Magna Carta and without any hesitation he referred me to prof. David Carpenter’s famous research. This is how we accessed his English translation of Magna Carta from Latin and prof. Shurbanov made its wonderful Bg translation. That Bulgarian publication of Magna Carta was arranged and financed by the America for Bulgaria Foundation which I am proud to represent- especially in this hall 272 whose renovation was also financed by the foundation.
My shortest recommendation for David Carpenter’s book is that it is a real sleep-killer. One can hardly fall asleep holding it. And the style of the book is one of a witnessing reporter- as if he is broadcasting live from the early 13th century. This book is truly amazing.
As I just told you, there was a celebration of Magna Carta in London last February. Lord Peter Mandelson made an interesting presentation at that event. In his closing remarks Lord Mandelson said that modern opposition to Magna Carta was no longer express and direct but mainly through coordinated inaction. Even in Europe he said there were a couple of countries which badly needed judicial reform but he would not name them. I can easily guess what he meant.
The judicial reform and the rule of law is the Bulgarian Magna Carta still to come. The reform of Bulgarian justice can hardly come from the main consumers of its imperfections. We all need to learn from the courage of the English barons of 1215 on our peaceful way to the Bulgarian Runnymede. Britain is an example for the reward to a state which has and obeys such a Great Charter.
In that context let me quote the very last sentence of David Carpenter’s book: “Magna Carta was set on the long journey that would take it around the world”.
I can only add: In that long journey Magna Carta has finally reached Bulgaria and it is here to stay. Magna Carta has a new home in our hearts.
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*Runnymede is a meadow near Windsor castle where Magna Carta was sealed on June 15th 1215