Bulgaria Prepares to Celebrate 100 Years of Independence in September

Society | June 4, 2008, Wednesday // 00:00
Bulgaria Prepares to Celebrate 100 Years of Independence in September: Bulgaria Prepares to Celebrate 100 Years of Independence in September President Parvanov (middle left) and PM Stanishev (middle right) at the Wednesday meeting focused on the upcoming September celebration of Bulgaria's independence Photo by Nadiya Kotseva (Sofia Photo Agency)

A National Committee for the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Bulgaria's Independence was established Wednesday at a meeting held in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia.

Participants in the meeting included representatives of State institutions, local administrations, academic circles and non-governmental organizations.

The 100th anniversary will be celebrated on September 22, 2008.
"We should not only honor all those remarkable Bulgarians and statesmen who achieved Bulgaria's independence, we should carry out a new interpretation of the significance of this event today", Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov said at the meeting.

Parvanov appealed to the Committee to unify the celebration ideas of everyone so that the anniversary's agenda turns into a major event, adding that such celebration must rise above Party differences.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev chaired the meeting. He stated that Bulgaria's independence is not a one-time occurrence, but the product of years of building the State. He also appealed that the celebration focuses on the present and on the results achieved in those 100 years.

The PM requested that everyone submits their celebration proposals with the Culture Ministry in 10 days, so that they could be summarized and real action could be undertaken.

Culture Minister Stephan Danailov proposed that the major celebration is held not only in the city of Veliko Turnovo where Bulgaria's independence has been declared, but in other cities as well. He also appealed for a two-week deadline for the proposals that are to be submitted with his Ministry.

Veliko Turnovo's Mayor Rumen Rachev promised Stanishev that in 10 days he would receive the celebration agenda for Veliko Turnovo and proposed the issuing of a commemorative coin. The Director of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) stated that the proposal would be considered.

Professor Georgi Markov, Chair of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences proposed that scientists from all countries connected to Bulgaria's independence receive invitations to the celebration.

The National Agency for Bulgarians Abroad voiced the idea for the creation of a multimedia product with the participation of Sofia University lecturers, which is to be used in all Bulgarian schools as a special lesson in Independence.

Kircho Atanassov, representing the Education Ministry approved the idea and offered that his Ministry organizes a competition for a short story or an essay for different age groups on the "Independence" theme with the Veliko Turnovo's municipality creating a site to publish the essays. A National Committee would, afterwards, select the winner.

The Archives State Agency presented an already finished agenda with resources and deadlines for a traveling exhibit and an anniversary newspaper.

Bozhidar Dimitrov, Director of the National History Museum proposed that a commemorative plaque is placed in a Veliko Turnovo location where an official ceremony would be held on September 22.

Luben Kornezov, Depute Chair of the Parliament voiced the idea of a ceremonial, open-door session of the Parliament around the time of the Anniversary.

The President brought closure to the discussion with its Administrations' proposal for the organization of a march, which itinerary would include all ancient Bulgarian capitals and would end in Veliko Turnovo.

All these and new proposals are to be submitted with the Culture Ministry for consideration.

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