EU day or Victory day?

Yesterday was a double holiday...
For some, it was "EU day", for others it is "Victory day".
Bulgaria is an interesting case...as one of the organisers of the discussion I went to mentioned - you can see which day people are celebrating - if they aree young - it is the EU day, if they are from the older generation - the "Victory day".
In the morning, while going to the office I saw some old people, most probably some of them were veterans from World War II in an improvised parade toward the Red Army monument.
I was really struck by these people - some of them couldn't walk almost, but they were wearing their medals and signs of honour with such an air of pride. They knew they are heroes, and although they maybe berely have money to survive now, as they are old - they were celebrating their HEROISM!
They really made my day!
Later on, I was at a discussion on Bulgaria's joining the EU. It was rather interesting, though they have invited some sociologist, who has graduated Oxford and obviously didn't manage to say something sensible (he spoke for around 15 minutes and most of the audience left:().

I really regret that I didn't join the Cafe d'Europe initiative - it was held in Sofia, as well as in the major cities of EU member countries.The concept was to present the national "sweets" of all these countries and to discuss over a cup of coffee our common European culture. Pretty good idea indeed, having in mind that people really need to talk and reflect upon the changes happening in all social, political and economic life, to overcome the doubts and have some questions answered. Especially here in Bulgaria, where not much is invested by the government to bring Europe to the "ordinary people".
After all this postive EU stuff, there was one little thing that made me think...are we really, as mentality ready to join EU.
We went to one cafe...And there, the woman at the cash-point was really rude, complaining that I gave here a huge banknote and I am going to collect all her small change...Then the others working there started shouting at her, insulting her.
I felt I am not in an European cafe...And I sincerely hope things will change for the better:)