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

Iliana Iotova: Freedom cannot be given, it comes from the soul It is nested in the soul, craved in the soul

Iliana Iotova (black coat, center).
Photo: © Presidency press office

A bell ringing marked the beginning of the celebration of the 145th anniversary of the liberation of Sofia from Ottoman rule. Then a memorial service of thanksgiving was held in the St. Nedelya church

National Guard units stood guard of honour at the Monument to the Bulgarian Volunteers. Vice President Iliana Iotova also took part in the commemoration. 

"Freedom can neither be bought nor given away. One either carries it in one's soul and mind or remains a slave forever. The Bulgarian volunteers, those young men with lion hearts who did not spare themselves to fight for a free and independent Bulgaria, did not not care who would try to give them orders and what they would be promised. Those hot heads made Bulgarian freedom possible. Today more than ever we need their inspiring example," Iotova told the many people who had gathered in front of the monument.



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

Daniel Mitov

Interior minister orders nationwide inspection of dangerous road sections

Against the background of protests in different towns across the country against the “war on the roads”, the poor condition of roads, corruption in public procurement and flawed road repairs, Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov has ordered a..

published on 4/5/25 2:28 PM
Zhecho Stankov (L) and Alparslan Bayraktar

Changes to gas contract between Bulgaria and Türkiye’s BOTAŞ in the offing

Ways to improve the positions of the sides to the contract between Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz, Bulgartransgaz and Türkiye’s BOTAŞ will be discussed until 2 May. Agreement on this was reached in Baku, Azerbaijan, by Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Zhecho..

published on 4/5/25 1:39 PM
Hundreds came out to protest in memory of Siyana in Pleven last night

Protests against war on the roads after death of a child in serious traffic accident

A wave of outrage is sweeping over Bulgaria after a severe accident on the Telish-Radomirtsi road (Pleven region), in which 12-year old Siyana lost her life as she was returning from a holiday with her grandparents. A protest is scheduled for today..

published on 4/5/25 11:50 AM