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Rumen Radev: Our ancestors left us the duty to defend Bulgarian national interests

Photo: BGNES

Veliko Tarnovo is the centre of the celebrations of the 116th anniversary of the declaration of Bulgarian Independence, which was proclaimed on September 22 1908 in a manifesto by Prince Ferdinand I in the Church of the Forty Martyrs and later announced at the Tsarevets Fortress.
The President of the National Assembly, Raya Nazaryan, will take part in the celebrations in the old capital. 

At 10.30, the Bulgarian flag is hoisted with a military ceremony at the Tsarevets fortress. At 11.30, a large festive procession will march from the square in front of Tsarevets to the Town Hall, and at 12.30, the military orchestras participating in the 17th International Festival of Military Brass Bands in Veliko Turnovo will perform in front of the Central Post Office. At 19:30, there will be a ceremonial fireworks display and inspection on the city's Tsar Assen I Square.

"Driven by the belief that only an independent Bulgaria could be truly free, 116 years ago in the old capital city of Veliko Tarnovo, our ancestors rejected the vassalage to which our country was subjected by the Ottoman Empire and restored the Bulgarian people's faith in their own strength. This historic act taught us a priceless lesson that still holds true today - defending Bulgaria's national interests, rather than succumbing to compromises or blindly following foreign will, is the way to Bulgaria's worthy progress," President Rumen Radev wrote on Facebook.

The anniversary is being celebrated with events across the country.



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