Bulgaria Celebrates 114 Years of Independence
Bulgarians celebrate 114 years since the declaration of the Independence of Bulgaria. The day has been celebrated as an official holiday of the country since 1990.
On September 22 (October 5, old style) in 1908 in Veliko Tarnovo, with a manifesto of Knyaz Ferdinand I, the Independence of Bulgaria was declared.
It was recognized by the Ottoman Empire and the Great Powers in the spring of 1909. The holiday is celebrated with a fireworks show in the Old Capital, where the independence was proclaimed on this day in 1908 in the Church of the Forty Martyrs.
The place was chosen specifically to emphasize the continuity with the medieval Bulgarian state. Bulgaria is declared a kingdom, and Ferdinand accepts the title "Tsar of the Bulgarians".
Today, Veliko Tarnovo is the center of celebrations for the 114th anniversary of the declaration of the Independence of Bulgaria, announced in Tsarevets fortress. Vice President Iliana Yotova will participate in the celebrations in the old capital city this morning, and in the evening, acting Prime Minister Galab Donev will take part in the fireworks show.
The festive events begin with a solemn liturgy in the "St. 40 Martyrs" church. “Independence is a huge and significant holiday because Bulgaria preserved its dignity,” Metropolitan Grigory of Veliko Tarnovo pointed out:
"All Bulgarians should be careful how they protect independence, because this is our most valuable treasure, because this independence must be defended every day".
In the Tsarevets fortress, from 10.30 a.m., there will be the military ritual of raising the national flag. Read More...
