site.btaBulgaria Celebrates 106th Anniversary of Its Independence

Bulgaria Celebrates 106th Anniversary of Its Independence

Sofia, September 22 (BTA) - Bulgaria celebrated Monday the 106th
anniversary of the declaration of its independence.
Observances were held across the country, culminating in the
North-Central city of Veliko Turnovo.

On September 22, 1908, Bulgaria joined the family of independent
states. After a prayer service at Turnovo's historic Church of
the Forty Holy Martyrs, in the presence of the Cabinet
members, MPs and other officials, Prince Ferdinand I read a
Manifesto which proclaimed the vassal Principality of Bulgaria
a kingdom independent of the Ottoman Empire.

During Monday's celebrations in Veliko Turnovo, Metropolitan
Gregorius of Veliko Turnovo blessed the colours at the Forty
Holy Martyrs Church. The national flag was raised in a military
ritual. The official guests included representatives of state
institutions, diplomatic missions and political parties.

Hundreds of local people, students and visitors joined the
procession from the historic fortress of Tsarevets to the
Monument to Mother Bulgaria.

In his address on the occasion, President Rosen Plevneliev said
that all Bulgarians are responsible for safeguarding the
hard-won freedom and independence of the Bulgarian State. It is
also a lesson that "we must respect the others' independence
because we are part of a democratic family where this is a
fundamental value". He also said: "Bulgaria made its choice
between the power of force and the power of democracy, and we
must stick to the chosen track. We should proudly show that we
are worthy of our place among today's Great Powers - the
democratic States which are not divided into big and small, rich
and poor, but form one whole because they are committed to the
rule of law." LN/DD