Celebrations of Bulgaria's National Enlighteners Day gathered speed across the country on Wednesday when parades throughout Sofia and other cities closed several main boulevards, causing traffic jams.

Just a day after the hellish traffic due to the Levski-Werder clash played on the nerves of drivers in Sofia, the parades paying tribute to those involved with teaching, studying, culture or scientific works offered yet another nerve-wrecking experience.

Students throughout the country were happy, however, for they did not have to go to classes on that day, considered the professional holiday of their teachers.

The national flag was hoisted during a ceremony in front of the President's office in downtown Sofia. It also rose in over thousands of schools across the country within the "Let's Raise the Flag in School" campaign, which was held for the third year in a row.

Celebrations started as early as Tuesday with a solemn parade down Sofia's streets under the portraits of Bulgaria's outstanding contributors to national enlightening.

Bulgaria has been celebrating the National Enlighteners Day since 1922 and teachers and students have seen parades on this occasion since the 1930s.

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