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Bulgaria's National Day

UPDATED Flag-raising Ceremony Held in Sofia for National Day

Dimitrina Solakova, Tsvetisiana Kostova
Flag-raising Ceremony Held in Sofia for National Day
Flag-raising Ceremony Held in Sofia for National Day
March 3 being marked in central Sofia with flag-raising ceremony and laying of wreaths at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, March 3, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)
Sofia,  
03.03.2025 13:13 | UPDATED 03.03.2025 14:08
 (BTA)

Bulgaria's National Day was marked in Sofia with the laying of flowers and wreaths of gratitude at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and a flag-raising ceremony. The event was attended by Vice President Iliana Iotova, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Daniil, and the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov.  

A salute of 20 artillery volleys was performed during the national anthem by the Guards Representative Brass Band. Minister Zapryanov was welcomed by the National Guard. He congratulated the troops and made the traditional review of the military formation.

Patriarch Daniil told journalists that March 3 should unite Bulgarians. He stressed the importance of gratitude, the sense that people gave their lives for those living now to exist. This calls for humility and understanding that freedom is a gift, the Patriarch added. He said that it is not right under political freedom to give in to dependence or addiction of any kind, for those warp the human soul. "Destructive forces are present in each one of us, but we should fight them. There is no higher virtue than that which God gives to man," the Patriarch added. “I hope that when we assume our responsibility as human beings, God will provide the much-awaited unity, the long-awaited understanding and consensus on important things in Bulgarian history, so that March 3 will not be a day of controversy, but will be celebrated with gratitude and joy by Bulgarians,” His Holiness said.

Vice President Iliana Iotova told journalists after the ceremony that for her, this is the most sacred date because March 3 is the resurrection of a people and a country. Asked to comment on Sunday's meeting in London of heads of State and government about Ukraine, Iotova said it was difficult for her to fit Bulgaria's National Day into the topic of global security, but "if we have to make one reference, it is first of all the defence of the national interest, it is the defence of our common European family for a stable and strong Europe with leadership positions." She added that she sees the celebration of March 3 as one for a sovereign Bulgaria that has its self-confidence, knows how to defend its interest and can have a strong voice within the European family, and not wait for those inside Europe to decide for Bulgaria. Iotova does not consider it a bad sign that Bulgaria did not attend the meeting in London. "When the unity of Europe is threatened, it is not good to gather and group different countries. The place for such discussions is at summits", she added.

Minister Zapryanov told journalists that March 3 "is indeed a historic date, Bulgaria gets its independence, it is reborn, we create the third state." "We have a lot to be proud of, this holiday is not for nothing," he added. "At Mt. Shipka we pay tribute to those who died in the battles, who held the victory, the war and freedom were won there," Zapryanov noted. In his words, this year's March 3 is different because the Armed Forces are entering a constructive stage. "We hope to increasingly fill the vacant positions in the Armed Forces, to have more modern weapons," he said. 

From the point of view of the global security environment, what is more special is the situation around Ukraine, the Russia-Ukraine negotiations, the contradictory opinions of the various actors in this very complex process, the Minister said and expressed hope that peace and justice will prevail. According to him, the fact that Bulgaria did not take part in the London meeting on Sunday is not a bad sign, because a coalition of the willing is still being created and it is yet to be decided what its mandate will be. He described the talks as political. The Armed Forces are ready to do their duty and the defence of the country is assured, Zapryanov added.

/DS/

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By 20:33 on 03.03.2025 Today`s news

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