Though it be 100 years since Bulgaria received its freedom from the Ottoman Empire, talk to any Bulgarian about relations with Turkey, and it is as if the two countries only yesterday went separate ways.

In any case, on September 22, Bulgaria celebrates the Day of Liberation, which, in 2008, falls on a Monday, which also means that it is a public holiday.

The accent of this year’s commemorations will be modern Bulgaria, Bulgarian National Radio had Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev down as saying, with an importance being placed on understanding which Bulgaria “we want to see in the coming decades, because for every society, it is important that there be perspective and a national goal”.

The Government has reportedly earmarked 7.5 million leva for the celebrations, both nationwide and abroad.

A number of events have been organised to mark the date, and a number of streets will be closed as in Sofia a result. More on that later.

Bansko will celebrate at 6pm at Nikola Vaptsarov Square, with the participation of musicians from the Nikola Vaptsarov Chitalishte (community centre).
 
In Bourgas, starting at 10am, there will be a celebratory prayer given at Sv Sv Kiril i Metodii Cathedral, followed by a raising of the Bulgarian flag at 10.45am in front of city hall. At 11.20am, wreaths and flowers will be laid on the memorial to choir director Georgi Shagounov (2a Alexander Battenberg Blvd), the man who composed the march Edin Zavet. Later, at 7pm, a concert will celebrate 100 Years of Independent Bulgaria at Atanas Sirekov Square, in front of city hall.

Gabrovo will celebrate with a liturgy at 9am at Uspenie Bogorodichno Church, and a wind orchestra and children’s-group concert at 7pm at Vuzrazhdane Square.

Celebrations in Veliko Turnovo will include Culture Minister Stefan Danailov, who will open the exhibition Symbols of Bulgarian Statehood at Rafael Mihailov Hall at 1.30pm. The exhibition includes more than 500 items from the Bulgaria Heraldry and Vexillology Society, Archives State Agency, National Library Sv Sv Kiril i Metodii and 26 Bulgarian museums.

Earlier in the day, at 7.30am, a celebratory liturgy will be held at the 40 Holy Martyrs Church, the place where Bulgaria’s independence was declared in 1908. At 9.30am, Tsarevets fortress will be the location for a ceremony including armed forces flags. The ceremony is supposed to include the participation of President Georgi Purvanov and Veliko Turnovo Roumen Rashev.

Elitsa and Stoundji, Bulgaria’s 2007 Eurovision contestants, will give a concert later on, after the 12.30pm laying of flowers and wreaths on the Mother Bulgaria monument.

Veliko Turnovo will be going strong, because at 6pm, again at Tsarevets, a gathering on the theme of Bulgaria’s Past against Bulgaria’s Future will take place, at which a commemorative stamp will be validated, and a commemorative coin will be presented. More celebrations are set for 7.30pm, at Vassil Levski National Military University, and at 8.30pm, the sound and light show at Tsarevets.

Yambol’s festivities include a 10.30am flag-raising ceremony in front of city hall, at which the mayor will speak; a 10.45am concert for children at the Yambol playground; and a concert by Familiya Tonika in front of city hall at 19.30pm. Fireworks will illuminate the city at 9pm.

Ardine, Chepelare, Dobrich, Koula, Kozloduy, Mezedra, Montana, Turgovishte, Tervel and other cities will also hold ceremonies and celebrations.

In Sofia, the patriotic organisation Mati Bolgaria, the Vassil Levski capital city committee and Sofia municipality are organising an official ceremony to be held at 11am in front of the National Art Gallery.

A film – 100 Years Independent Bulgaria – about former Sofia mayor Ivan Ivanov will be shown, somewhere in the city.

Also in Sofia, a bike parade will take place between 11am and 2pm. The ride takes off from Kristal Garden (corner of Rakovski and Tsar Osvoboditel boulevards), via Gurko Street to 6-ti Septemvri Street, Stefan Karadja Street, back to Rakovski, to Ivan Vazov Street, Benkovski, Slavyanska, Tsar Ivan Shishman, Aksakov and back to Kristal Garden.

A similar ride will start from the same place at 3pm, and end at NDK (National Palace of Culture) at 4pm. Though, it must be said that the rides are more because of European Mobility Week, which ends on September 22, than Bulgaria’s Independence Day.

And, about mobility – given the amount of celebrations happening, a number of Sofia roads will be closed on September 22. Please see the list, in Bulgarian.