FÊTE DE L'INDÉPENDANCE

While the national holiday is March 3, commemorating the birth of the country, on September 22 Bulgaria celebrates its independence with official speeches, parades, street performances, religious services, wreath laying and other festivities. The biggest celebrations take place in Sofia, in front of the Independence Monument in Kniaz Alexander I Square, and in Veliko Tarnovo, where independence was proclaimed, the celebrations start at 9 a.m. in the courtyard of the Church of the Forty Martyrs and continue with a military parade in period costume.