site.btaSofia Marks Its Day

Sofia, September 17 (BTA) - The Day of Sofia was marked on Sunday with water blessing and hoisting of the capital's flag near the St Sophia Church. On September 17 the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of St Sophia and her daughters Faith, Hope and Charity, martyred in 126 in the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian (117-138).

President Rumen Radev inspected the Guard of Honour. The event was attended by Parliament Chairman Dimiter Glavchev, Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, Patriarch Neophyte, MPs, municipal councillors, ambassadors and members of the public. Fandakova addressed those present.

The day was marked with a plethora of events: a concert of the Sofia Brass Band in front of the National Theatre, the presentation of Sofia Municipality's awards for remarkable cultural achievements, a fire performance by the Fire Theatre in front of its building, concerts and sports events in the residential districts.

Admission was free at the Vrana Park Museum, the Zoo, the Regional History Museum, the archaeological part of the St Sophia basilica, and the Sofia City Art Gallery.

Municipal Council Chairman Elen Gerdjikov presented the Honorary Citizen Badge to his predecessor Vladimir Kissyov and to archaeologist Prof. Vassil Nikolov. Guillaume Robert, Director of the French Cultural Institute, was also made a freeman of the city. (He was abroad and did not attend the session.) Two ambassadors, Thomas van Oorschot of the Netherlands and Temirtay Izbastin of Kazakhstan, were made freemen.

The badge was also given to the Hristina Morfova Choir, The Crickets (Shturtsite) rock band and ophthalmologists Prof. Iva Petkova and Dr Alexander Oscar.