The Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament, Tsetska Tsacheva, reviewed Wednesday morning the guard of honor in the central city of Veliko Tarnovo, which is the focal point of the celebrations dedicated to the country's Independence Day.

The national flag was hoisted while students released in the sky balloons with the symbolic Bulgarian white, green and red colors. The manifest with which on this day in 1908 Tsar Ferdinand declared in Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria's Independence was read aloud.

The ceremony was held in the presence of politicians, citizens and guests. The Veliko Tarnovo Metropolitan Grigoriy served the solemn mass, while the Mayor of the city, Rumen Rashev, delivered the keynote address.

"After the Unification, this is the second, purely Bulgarian decision, without the interference of the Great Powers. The Bulgarian people then showed character and the self-esteem of an independent nation," Rashev said.

Official ceremonies have been held in towns and cities across Bulgaria, including the capital Sofia.

The celebrations in Sofia were attended by foreign diplomats, members of the cabinet, Members of the Parliament. The keynote address was delivered by the Mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova.