The celebrations of Bulgaria's National Holiday, March 3, began in the capital Sofia with the hoisting of the national flag and gun salutes in front of the Unknown Soldier Monument, Darik radio reports.

Bulgaria's President, Georgi Parvanov, the Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev, the Speaker of the Parliament, Georgi Pirinski, and the Russian Ambassador to Sofia, Yuri Isakov, all took part in the ceremony.

The State officials laid wreaths and flowers at the monument as sign of homage to those who perished for Bulgaria's freedom. Hundreds of Sofia residents and visitors also laid flowers at the Unknown Soldier Monument

Parvanov, who is Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, will attend several planned ceremonies throughout the day. He will take the salute of the representative units of the Bulgarian Army, which will be held Tuesday evening at the "Narodno Subranie" (National Assembly) square in the capital. The President and First Lady, Zorka Parvanova, will also host the traditional reception at the historical museum at the Presidential Residence "Boyana."