2024-09-23 14:18:28
Veliko Tarnovo was the center of the national celebrations for Bulgaria’s Independence Day. Here, on September 22, 1908, Ferdinand read the manifesto declaring the vassal principality an independent Bulgarian kingdom and accepting the title of king.
The solemn holy liturgy was led by Bishop Matthew of Nikopol, Bishop Grandfather Grigoriy was not in the church and on Tsarevets. The officials laid flowers on the grave of King Kaloyan in the gallery of the temple.
A large procession left the square in front of the fortress
under the ringing of all the church bells in old Tarnovo.
At the front were students who were wearing a flower garland for the “Mother Bulgaria” monument. After them, marches were played by the military bands of Bulgaria and Romania, participants in the 17th edition of the International Festival of Military Bands.
The attractive parade was greeted with applause and flags and filmed with thousands of mobile phones by residents of Tarnovo and guests who filled the city. For them, the colorful fest in the streets continued with a show of military brass formations in front of the central post office. After that, a large Tarnovo choir took off – from the theater to the monument to the hanged.
Thousands of Bulgarians chose to spend the long weekend for Independence in Tarnovo and showed the politicians that the Bulgarian spirit is alive. It was filled with people already on Friday evening and that’s why
Mayor Panov exclaimed that he had never seen the city more complete
Streets and sidewalks in the Old Town were cleared of cars and jammed with spectators awaiting the spectacular spectacle that brought the history of the old capital to life.
The impromptu happening on the first evening of the astronomical autumn moved to the Samovodskaya bazaar, festively decorated, attracting with flavors and aromas.
The great autumn festival “Night of the Samovo Bazaar and Crafts Festival” has captured the old capital city. And September 22 ended on the square in front of Tsarevets with a solemn dawn inspection and the show “Tsarevgrad Tarnov – sound and light”, overflowing with festive illuminations.
Sofia celebrated the holiday with a ceremony
in front of the “Independence of Bulgaria” monument on “Knyaz Alexander I” square. This day, together with the Union, are one of the most important dates for Bulgaria, said the chairman of the SOS, Tsvetomir Petrov. Sofia MPs participated in the ceremony, institutions and political forces laid wreaths.
Despite the heavy travel over the holiday weekend, the capital was also full of happy people. The celebration on September 22 coincided with the declared “Car Free Day”, which saw the center closed to cars and the good weather brought thousands out on foot or by bicycle.
Mayor Daniel Panov with a message to politicians: Don’t divide people, look them in the eye and listen to them
“September 22 is a holiday that can be called even more than a national holiday. A holiday for all Bulgarians – uniting and unifying”, said the mayor of Tarnovo, Daniel Panov, in his festive speech on the occasion of the 116th anniversary of Bulgaria’s declaration of independence.
He called on politicians to unite behind national causes.
“In our history there remain the people who have the power to unite and not to divide. Dear politicians who have aspired to the National Assembly, be national leaders and not madly fighting for an electorate. Do not divide the people, but look them in the eye and hear it.
Compete not with kompromat, but who will do more for the Bulgarians. The point is not to destroy bridges, but to build them. When there is an outstretched hand in the name of statehood, grab it, don’t cut it,” urged Daniel Panov. And he reminded that the most important thing is how the children of today’s voters will evaluate them.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Raya Nazaryan emphasized that it is very important to remember the price and meaning of Bulgarian independence.
“We know that with clenched hands we can achieve much more than by pushing elbows and waving fists. We know that the common goal is achieved by agreement. Independence is not a gift, but a covenant. Independence is defended every day,” he said Raya Nazarian.