site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria Celebrates 116th Anniversary of Proclamation of Its Independence

Bulgaria Sunday celebrated the 116th anniversary of the proclamation of its independence. The celebrations culminated in a military tattoo and a fireworks display in the north central town of Veliko Tarnovo where Prince Ferdinand I proclaimed the Principality of Bulgaria an independent kingdom on September 22, 1908.

National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan Sunday addressed those gathered in Veliko Tarnovo, saying that now independence is the freedom to state and defend one's interests in a complex and conflicted world. She also said: "Having rejected the oppression of totalitarianism, today we share the path and the dreams of generations of Bulgarians for a dignified, sovereign Bulgaria in the European Union, a union of half a billion free and prosperous people, which, despite turbulent times, difficulties and challenges, defends fervently the European achievements of humanism and the well-being of its citizens."

Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov said independence is a source of national pride, honour and dignity. "This was the case back in 1908 and one year later, when the proud people of Tarnovo celebrated the first year of independence in a grand manner. Eyewitnesses said the town looked like a fairy-tale castle. People rejoiced and embraced each other in the streets." September 22 can be said to be an all-Bulgarian holiday, Panov added.

Earlier in the day, actors from the Veliko Tarnovo Theatre recreated the events of the memorable September 22, 1908, and read the Manifesto which proclaimed the country's independence. Hundreds of flags the colours of the Bulgarian national flag were released into the sky by children from local schools.

The President, the government and politicians congratulated the nation on Independence Day.

President Rumen Radev wrote in a Facebook post: "Today, our people commemorates the work of a generation for whom statehood and independence were the highest values. (...) This historic act bequeathed us an invaluable lesson still relevant today: it is the defence of Bulgaria's national interests, and not resignation and the blind following of someone else's will, is the way for the dignified development of Bulgaria."

The Council of Ministers said in a Facebook post that this day marks a huge state achievement, a remarkable Bulgarian diplomatic success and a vivid historical example of the people's aspiration for democracy, prosperity and international respect.

Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev congratulated Bulgarians in a Facebook post accompanied by a photo of the Manifesto by which Prince Ferdinand I proclaimed Bulgaria's independence.

 Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said that the Oborishte Assembly Monument near Panagyurishte (Southern Bulgaria) holds the national heroes' names, but one has been crossed out - the name of the traitor who betrayed them, forcing them to rebel early, which cost the lives of up to 30,000 Bulgarians. His video post on Facebook was shot in front of the monument at the place where revolutionaries decided to go forward with the April Uprising in 1876, which ultimately led to Bulgaria's freedom and independence.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms - New Beginning Chair Delyan Peevski said: "We must continue the development of Bulgaria, following our Euro-Atlantic path and defend our national interest with great will and determination. Only by being united and overcoming partisan egoism can we give the people the country in which they want to live and where their children can grow up, stable and prosperous."

Movement for Rights and Freedoms Chair Dzhevdet Chakarov congratulated Bulgarians on Independence Day and stressed that this act evokes national pride because it was carried out entirely by the independent efforts of Bulgaria. "This is also a day on which we pay well-deserved tribute to all statesmen who won our national and political freedom."

There Is Such a People leader Slavi Trifonov said on Facebook: "Today, we are not just marking, celebrating, or honouring yet another holiday. This date embodies the strength and determination with which we have defended and protected our freedom and independence for 116 years. (...) It is not about being simply part of the developed European civilization, but being proud of the fact that we, as a nation, have always been at the heart of Europe."

The historic event was celebrated across the country. In Sofia, a ceremony was held at the Monument to the Independence of Bulgaria. The programme featured the Sofia Brass Orchestra, the Saint Sofia choir led by Valentin Bobevski and the Gusla men's choir. Sofia Municipal Council Chair Tsvetomir Petrov told the media: "Along with the Unification [of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 1885], this holiday is one of the most important."

How it happened

On September 22, 1908, after a prayer service at Tarnovo'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 an independent kingdom. 

The Bulgarian Government adopted a decision on immediate proclamation of independence on September 16, but the act was postponed on Ferdinand's orders. On board the train by which the Prince and the ministers travelled to the medieval Bulgarian capital of Tarnovo, Prime Minister Alexander Malinov wrote the Manifesto on the proclamation of independence at the railway station of Dve Mogili on the evening of September 21. On the next morning, Ferdinand arrived at the station of Trapezitsa and from there went on foot to the historic church of Forty Holy Martyrs. After a solemn prayer service in the presence of the Cabinet members, MPs and other officials, at 12:00 noon on September 22 (New Style October 5), 1908, the Prince read the Manifesto to the Bulgarian People.

Thereafter, National Assembly Chairman Hristo Slaveikov turned to the Prince, saying: "Your Majesty, on behalf of the national representatives, I beg you to assume the title of first Bulgarian Tsar." Ferdinand accepted "with pride and gratitude".

Bulgaria's independence was recognized by Russia (February 5, 1909), Turkey (April 6, 1909), Serbia and Montenegro (April 7, 1909), Britain, France and Italy (April 10, 1909), Germany and Austria-Hungary (April 16, 1909), and the United States (March 24, 1910).