site.btaElhovo Marks 100th Anniversary Since Designation as Town

On Saturday, Elhovo, with a population of some 9,500, marked the 100th anniversary since it was designated a town.

On March 26, 1925, King Boris III decreed that the village of Kizil-Agac be renamed Elhovo and designated a town. The last Saturday of March has been marked as the town's holiday by a decision of the Municipal Council of 1994. 

President Rumen Radev attended the celebration. He acknowledged the efforts of Mayor Petar Gendov and the Municipal Council to develop the potential of the municipality. Radev praised the local leadership for renovating infrastructure and preserving the natural assets.

Referring to the town's proximity to the border with Turkiye, Radev said: "It is no coincidence that when we had to convince our Austrian partners that Bulgaria is ready for Schengen, I brought the Austrian Chancellor to your town, to the Border Police Regional Directorate, so that he could see for himself that you ensure reliable protection of the EU's external borders."

The President was accompanied by his wife Desislava Radeva.

Mayor Petar Gendov presented to the President a small sculpture, Flight, by Dimitar Neychev, saying it is one of the town's symbols.

Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven officiated a service, joined by priests from the eparchy.

Local people walked in a festive procession led by the military brass band of the 2nd Tundzha Mechanized Brigade.