Bulgarian Flag Finally Hoisted in Philadelphia

The Bulgarian national flag finally found its place along the beautiful Ben Franklin Parkway in the US city of Philadelphia. Photo by facebook

The Bulgarian national flag is finally proudly waiving alongside many others on Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, the facebook group Bulgarians in Philadelphia reported Tuesday.

The wonderful Thanksgiving gift comes to the Bulgarian community after a long-running effort to bring their homeland flag to the historical American city.

The colorful tradition of displaying flags of many countries on the Parkway began in 1976 as a part of the bicentennial celebration. Every year since then, the installation of about 90 international flags on Memorial Day weekend has heralded the beginning of summer. The flags represent countries with significant populations in Philadelphia, and are hung alphabetically, with a few exceptions.

Since 1976 until a day ago the Bulgarian flag was missing on Ben Franklin Parkway. In the summer of 2009, Bulgarians in the area, led by local Bulgarian activists started a Petition to the Philadelphia Deputy City Representative's Office of the Parkway Council Foundation, which is in charge of ensuring that the Benjamin Franklin Parkway realizes its potential as a truly unique cultural destination. The Petition had the mission to add the Bulgarian flag alongside the others.

"We are sure that there are as many Bulgarians who live in Philadelphia and the nearby areas, as there are residents of other countries whose flags are already on the boulevard. We think the Bulgarian community is big enough and that we are an important part of the daily social, political, business and cultural life in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. We live here, we study here, we raise our children here, and we contribute to the development of the city. We are part of the city!" the Petition red.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!