site.btaObservances Mark 138th Liberation Anniversary

Observances Mark 138th Liberation Anniversary

Sofia, March 3 (BTA) -The 138th anniversary of Bulgaria's Liberation from Ottoman rule was marked with various events across the country. In Sofia, the national flag was raised at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in the presence of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Rosen Plevneliev, National Assembly Chairperson Tsetska Tsacheva, Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, Chief of Defence, Gen. Konstantin Popov, Patriarch Neophyte, Chief Mufti Mustafa Hadji, diplomats and citizens.

The President reviewed the guard and laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. The Bulgarian flag was solemnly raised to the national anthem. Patriarch Neophyte officiated a memorial service for the heroes of the Liberation at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

"Let us swear an oath at this mount not to alter history," Vice President Margarita Popova said during the observances at Shipka Mount. Shipka was the location of one of the most decisive and fierce battles fought in the Russo-Turkish War in 1877.

"Happy National Day! May you be strong, brave and proud Bulgarians," Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said in a greeting address. "On this day I would like to wish everyone unceasing efforts to build our country, preserve the Bulgarian spirit, withstand European values and aspire to work together for a better future," said he.

"Today, we mark the 138th anniversary of the Liberation. We owe it to Russia. On this day we pay tribute to the strength of these Bulgarians, who - having preserved the Bulgarian [identity] through the centuries - made possible the restoration of the Bulgaria state," said Michail Mikov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party.

"We should well remember our history but not remain within the past," said ABV leader and former president (2002-2012) Georgi Purvanov quoted by his party's press centre.

On the occasion of March 3, Polish diplomats from the Polish Embassy in Sofia, the Polish Institute and the Department for Promotion of Trade and Investments recited the poem "Hadji Dimiter" by national poet Hristo Botev.

US Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated the Bulgarian people in behalf of President Barak Obama and the US citizens. "Together, we have worked on counter-terrorism, energy security, and education. As NATO Allies, we have deepened our defense relationship through joint and multilateral training exercises, hosted by Bulgaria's government," reads the greeting statement, published on the website of the Department of State.

"Our partnership makes each of our countries stronger, our communities safer, and our economies more prosperous. The United States is proud to have a close friend in Bulgaria, and we look forward to further enhancing our relationship in the future."