Bulgaria Marked National Holiday with Grand-scale Celebrations
Politics | March 3, 2003, MondayAn impressive ceremony attended by Russia's President Putin was held to mark Bulgaria's national holiday at historical Mount Shipka, some 270km east of capital Sofia. In their adresses, Putin and his Bulgarian counterpart Parvanov stressed that the restoration of Bulgaria's state on March 3 125 years ago was a landmark event in both Bulgaria's and Russia's history.
President Parvanov said in his speech that Putin's current visit to Bulgaria marks a new beginning in Bulgarian-Russian relations. In his address, Putin quoted Bulgaria's poetic genius Hristo Botev to illustrate the heroism of Bulgarian and Russian fighters.
Parvanov and Putin laid wreaths at the historical mount. Russia's President ascended it to honor the anniversary since Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule brought after the 1877-78 war that Russia launched against Turkish empire. Shipka turned to a national symbol as Bulgarian volunteers along with Russian soldiers showed extraordinary heroism in the decisive battle on the mount.
Some hours earlier, Bulgaria's President Parvanov, Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg togather with Parliament Speaker Ognyan Gerdzhikov and all ministers attended a solemn ceremony at the Monument of Unknown Soldier in Sofia. The national flag was hoisted and wreaths were laid to honour Bulgarian and foreign fighters who died for the liberty. This ceremony started with review of Bulgaria's guard of honour. Twenty gunshots saluted the holiday. In addition, Monday night saw a military march-past at the National Assembly Square in Sofia and illuminations in many cities of the country.
On March 3 1878, Russia and Turkey signed the San Stefano peace treaty that restored Bulgarian state after five centuries of foreign rule. Bulgaria has celebrated this date as its national holiday since the fall of communism thirteen years ago.
President Parvanov said in his speech that Putin's current visit to Bulgaria marks a new beginning in Bulgarian-Russian relations. In his address, Putin quoted Bulgaria's poetic genius Hristo Botev to illustrate the heroism of Bulgarian and Russian fighters.
Parvanov and Putin laid wreaths at the historical mount. Russia's President ascended it to honor the anniversary since Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule brought after the 1877-78 war that Russia launched against Turkish empire. Shipka turned to a national symbol as Bulgarian volunteers along with Russian soldiers showed extraordinary heroism in the decisive battle on the mount.
Some hours earlier, Bulgaria's President Parvanov, Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg togather with Parliament Speaker Ognyan Gerdzhikov and all ministers attended a solemn ceremony at the Monument of Unknown Soldier in Sofia. The national flag was hoisted and wreaths were laid to honour Bulgarian and foreign fighters who died for the liberty. This ceremony started with review of Bulgaria's guard of honour. Twenty gunshots saluted the holiday. In addition, Monday night saw a military march-past at the National Assembly Square in Sofia and illuminations in many cities of the country.
On March 3 1878, Russia and Turkey signed the San Stefano peace treaty that restored Bulgarian state after five centuries of foreign rule. Bulgaria has celebrated this date as its national holiday since the fall of communism thirteen years ago.
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