Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria celebrates Independence Day

Photo: picture library

Today marks 109 years since Bulgaria declared its Independence. It was proclaimed on 22 September 1908 in the city of Veliko Tarnovo with a Manifesto of Prince Ferdinand read at St. Forty Martyrs Church and later also at the medieval Tsarevets Castle.

This act in fact fully rejected the claims of the Ottoman Empire on Southern Bulgaria (Eastern Rumelia). Together with its vassal status Bulgaria also abandoned its financial dues to the empire and the West European countries imposed on by the Treaty of Berlin signed in 1878.

Today the anniversary will be marked across Bulgaria but the center if celebrations is Veliko Tarnovo, The start will be given with a liturgy served by Veliko Tarnovo Metropolitan Grigoriy at St. Forty Martyrs Church. This will be followed by a military ritual with the raising of the national flag at Tsarevets Castle.

During the day there will be free guided tours in the city and festive various events. The participants in the 11th International Festival of Military Bands will give a concert too.

In Sofia celebrations of the 109th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Independence are due in Prince Alexander I square.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Morning mist, sunny skies by day

On Wednesday at dawn, temperatures will range between 8 and 14°C , and up to 18°C along the Black Sea coast. In Sofia, it will be around 9°C.  In the easternmost regions, low clouds are expected before noon, with morning mists possible in some low-lying..

published on 9/23/25 7:05 PM
Bulgaria's Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov

Bulgaria will join the drone wall along the EU’s eastern borders

Bulgaria will join the drone wall that the European Union plans to create soon along its eastern borders. Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov confirmed the news in Veliko Tarnovo, which was announced by the European Commission Spokesperson Thomas..

published on 9/23/25 5:57 PM
Lyubomir Kirov

MFA is following the case of mobilised Bulgarian citizen in Ukraine

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry is monitoring the case of Lyubomir Kirov, a dual Bulgarian-Ukrainian citizen who has reportedly been mobilised in Ukraine despite holding a disability certificate (TELK)   for a serious arm impairment.  The..

published on 9/23/25 5:48 PM