Plovdiv Becomes Focus of Unification Day Revels

The tomb of Knyaz (King) Alexander I Battenberg in downtown Sofia, a German prince who as a Bulgarian ruler supported and presided over the Unification in 1885. Photo by BGNES

Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second largest city, is in the focus of the festivities in the country as it celebrates the 127th anniversary since its Unification.

The celebrations of Bulgaria's Unification Day are traditionally held the night of September 6 in Plovdiv, the city which once was the capital of the Ottoman province of Eastern Roumelia invented by the European Great Powers at the Berlin Congress in July 1878.

On September 6, 1885, the Principality of Bulgaria unified with the autonomous Ottoman province of Eastern Roumelia, a few years after its liberation from Ottoman rule.

The Thursday events begin with a solemn mass at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary church in the city, served by the Plovdiv bishop Nikolay. It is dedicated to the heroes of the Unification and will include a prayer for the health and prosperity of all Bulgarians.

Wreaths and flowers will be laid at the monuments of two of these heroes – Zachary Stoyanov and Major Raycho Nikolov.

There will be concerts on several open stages on Stefan Stambolov square, including pop and folk groups, and brass orchestras.

The traditional reenactment of the events of 1885 will held 6:30 pm, starting with a march from the Zachary Stoyanov monument to the Central city square were the celebrations will culminate.

The events will end with a solemn meeting, fireworks and a military roll call and parade. They will be held in the presence of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, President, Rosen Plevneliev, the Speaker of the Parliament, Tsetska Tsacheva, the Ministers of Finance, Simeon Djankov, of Economy and Energy, Delyan Dobrev, of Education, Sergey Ignatov, and of Youth and Sports, Svilen Neykov, the former Minister for Bulgarians Abroad and Director of the National History Museum, Bozhidar Dimitrov, Members of the Parliament, diplomats and other officials.

In the capital Sofia, there will be a march, starting at 11 am, from the Monument of the Unknown Soldier to the Tomb and Mausoleum of Knyaz Alexander Battenberg I. The program with a choral, folk and pop concert begins at 11:30 am in front of the Mausoleum.

Celebrations will be held all over the country, including the historical town of Saedinenie (Unification), the old Bulgarian capital, the central city of Veliko Tarnovo, and the Black Sea city of Varna.

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