Bulgaria's capital woke up Tuesday morning with the ceremonial guards in front of the Presidency gone for the first time in history.

A day after President Georgi Parvanov came under fire from his party fellowmen for confessing to friendly fire, the Presidency was attacked by diggers, driving the guards away.

The guards, who have turned into landmark with their red tunics trimmed in white and precise movements, are expected to be back at the beginning of September when repair works will be over.

The National Guards Unit originates from the Life Guards of Prince Alexander I Batten berg, instituted in 1879. The first official escort of a Bulgarian monarch was performed on 12 July 1879. To commemorate this occasion, 12 July is marked as the official holiday of the National Guards Unit. Since its establishment, the Guards unit has been transformed from an escort of the Prince to a squadron, then to a regiment and, after 1942, to a battalion. At present it includes guard-of-honour elements and a ceremonial brass band.

In 2001 the National Guards Unit was endorsed as a representative military formation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and is one of the symbols of state power, along with the national flag, coat of arms and anthem.

The ceremonial change of the guard of honour in front of the Administration of the President was performed for the first time on 5 November 2003.

The ceremonial show combines non-standard drill rests and foot movements with and without arms and saluting the colours and the heroes who laid their lives for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria.

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