Liberation Day is a public holiday in Bulgaria. Bulgaria celebrates a yearly celebration of its liberation from almost 500 years of Ottoman rule on the 3rd of March under the Treaty of San Stefano. The Treaty of San Stefano ended the Russo-Turkish War in 1877 and paved the way for the liberation of Bulgaria and once again establishes itself as a nation and successfully put the country back on the world map. History of Bulgaria’s Liberation Day Bulgaria was already a sovereign nation with established culture, language, arts, technology, among others even before it succumbed to the forces of the Ottoman Empire in 15th century. Bulgaria’s nationhood was established back in the early 7th century (A.D.) when the first Bulgarian Empire began at around 632 and 681 A.D lasting until 1018 covering most of the Balkans, a geopolitical region in Southern Europe. Bulgarians had their own government, and distinct culture, education, literature, arts, religion and economic way of life before the Turks came in. The Slavic people consider Bulgaria as the centre of European culture and arts before the Ottoman Empire colonized the region. The Ottoman Empire occupied Bulgaria from the latter half of the 14th century (or 15th century in some literature) until the end of Russo-Turkish War in 1877-1878 taking advantage of the decline in power of the Second Bulgarian Empire between 1185 and 1396/1422. Right after the Russo-Turkish War, Bulgaria saw the opportunity to re-establish its Third Bulgarian Empire and founded a new era of constitutional monarchy in 1878 as supported by the Treaty of San Stefano. Today, through various legislations, Bulgaria’s government is now under parliamentary democracy within a constitutional republic where the head of the state is run by people who are elected by Bulgarians through popular vote. Bulgaria is a member of several international intergovernmental organizations such as the NATO, European Union, United Nations and the World Trade Organizations, among others. Although the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman dominance was made in 1888, it was not considered as a public holiday until 1978. Bulgaria’s Liberation Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities Bulgaria celebrates Liberation Day in much the same way as how other countries celebrate independence. Government-sponsored events and speeches are held during the holiday, along with public cultural shows, and street parades. The government also holds the usual ceremonial hoisting of the Bulgarian flag in monuments across the country specifically the Unknown Soldier Monument in Sofia. Wreaths of flowers are also offered at public monuments such as Liberty Monument at Shipka. Since this is considered as a national holiday, public companies are closed while private companies are given the option to operate or not.
