March 3rd: Liberation Day

Today is a big day in Bulgaria. It is one of many national holidays, but maybe one of the most important. Today marks the the 129th anniversary since Bulgaria's liberation from five centuries of Ottoman dominance.

Traditional ceremonies are held in all Bulgarian cities to boast victorious battles for Russian and Bulgarian soldiers in the 1877-1878 liberation war. On March 3, 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano (a tiny town near Istanbul) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed which brought Bulgaria back to the political map.

The first time March 3 was marked occurred in 1880, in honor of Enthronement of Russian Emperor Alexander the Second. Since 1888 March 3 has become Bulgaria's Day of Liberation and it was not pronounced a National Holiday one hundred years later until 1978.

(*Note: Photo one is of the Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov attending a ceremony in celebration of the holiday.)
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On a side note, I was in Sofia today walking around with a friend and we happened upon one of the many celebrations going on in the country. With dozens of police lined up on the streets and earing loud music from afar, we decided to see what the fuss was when we realized it was a rock concert. The concert happened to be on the steps of the Alexander Nevski Church (built as an expression of gratitude for the 200,000 Russian heroes who sacrificed their life in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War).

What I find most strange is that the concert was literally on the steps of the church and led by Ataka, also known as the Bulgarian Nationalist Political Party. Not only should I mention that this was a concert, but it was more of a political rally by this extreme rightest group who many consider to be a racist, xenophobic, neo-nazi party. This was a place I didn't want to be at the time, and shouldn't. As we were walking away from the area, a large parade (I am talking hundreds) of Ataka supporters were making their way to the music.

Is it just me or does it seem odd to have such a gathering on the steps of a church, no matter what church?

Well, as they say in Bulgarian, Chestita Praznitsi (Happy Holidays).

(*Note: Picture two is of the Bulgaria's Nationalists: Slogan being "Down with Govt in Cahoots with Turks, Mafia!")