Liberation Day (Bulgaria)

The Liberation Day, officially known as the Day of Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Oppression (Bulgarian: Ден на Освобождението на България от османско иго, romanized: Den na Osvobozhdenieto na Bǎlgarya ot osmansko igo), is the national holiday of Bulgaria,^[1] celebrated every 3 March.^[2]

It commemorates the

In Bulgaria, there are currently over 400 preserved monuments dedicated to Russians and Bulgarians. Every year on 3 March, wreaths are laid at the Shipka Monument and military honors in memory of all soldiers who died fighting for the liberation of Bulgaria. Residents around the country commonly lay flowers and notes at monuments to the fallen foreign troops who fought alongside their Bulgarian counterparts.[7] The Bulgarian Orthodox Church holds special liturgy and prayers on Liberation Day. In the evening, on the National Assembly Square near the monument to the Tsar Liberator, there is a solemn military service which includes the inspection of the National Guards Unit of Bulgaria by the President of Bulgaria and the awarding of military personnel with national decorations. An afternoon flag raising ceremony at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier is also held.

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