HOT: » Assessing the Legacy of Bulgaria's "Denkov" Cabinet: Achievements, Failures, and What Comes Next
Festivities to mark the 25-th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall drew more than 1 million Berliners and visitors from all over to the heart of the once-divided city.
Solidarity movement leader and later Polish President Lech Walesa, Mikhail Gorbachev - the last leader of the Soviet Union - and other figures credited with an international role in bringing down the wall and helping reunite Germany joined Wowereit, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck.
Fireworks and an Udo Lindenberg concert closed festivities, a 15-kilometer string of 7000 helium balloons stole the show, coursing the path of the barrier that had divided the city from 1961 to 1989.
Germans freed the balloons one after another to symbolize the breaching of the barbed-wire and concrete-block wall by crowds of protesters on that distant November 9.
Meantime, the Berlin Staatskapelle orchestra played "Ode to Joy," the anthem of the European Union, from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
"We're the happiest people in the world and we're thrilled that you brought the Berlin Wall down 25 years ago," Mayor Klaus Wowereit said. "Nothing and no one can stand in the way of freedom."
Sofia, Bulgaria, recently transformed into a magical winter wonderland as snow blanketed the city in January. Streets and parks became serene, snow-covered landscapes, offering a rare and enchanting atmosphere....
In the charming town of Kalofer, Bulgaria, carolers harmonize through the streets, embodying the spirit of the season. Dressed in traditional attire, these singers, known as "koledari," carry on a centuries-old tradition, spreading joy with melodies and wishes for prosperity and health....
During the Christmas season, Sofia becomes a vibrant tapestry of festive cheer and merriment. The city adorns itself with an array of enchanting decorations, from glittering lights draped across buildings to elaborately adorned Christmas trees gracing the bustling squares....
Autumn in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a breathtaking symphony of colors and crisp, cool air. As the leaves on the trees turn various shades of red, orange, and yellow, the cityscape transforms into a picturesque canvas of natural beauty....
The "Surva" festival is the oldest festival of masquerade games in Bulgaria and one of the largest in Europe. Due to the record number of participants - over 10,000 people, for the first time the festival was held for three consecutive days....
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022