site.btaReenactment Marks 148 Years Since Sofia’s Liberation

A reenactment of the battles for Sofia’s liberation 148 years ago took place in North Park, Nadezhda Borough authorities said on Sunday. More than 100 people joined the event, co-organized with the National Alliance Edinenie association.

Nadezhda Borough also posted about the event on its Facebook page and streamed live video on the social network.

On January 4, Sofia celebrates its liberation from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). Some 148 years ago, units of the Western detachment of the Russian army, led by Lieutenant General Iosif Gurko, entered the city ceremonially. Sofia was a strategically important city on the route from Central Europe to Istanbul, Nadezhda Borough said.

The battle for the city began on December 31 near Gorny Bogrov. Around 20,000 Russian troops under Gurko and Major General Otto Rauch confronted a 15,000-strong Ottoman force commanded by Osman Nuri Pasha. After setting the villages of Dolni Bogrov and Botunets on fire, Ottoman units attacked the column led by Lieutenant General Nikolay Velyaminov. In Sofia, the artillery fire was distinctly audible. As Osman Nuri’s defeated forces withdrew from the engagement with numerous wounded, it became clear that liberation was imminent. Gurko received a triumphant welcome, and a thanksgiving service was held at St Nedelya Cathedral.

Earlier on Sunday, Bulgarian Patriarch and Sofia Metropolitan Daniil led a divine liturgy at St Nedelya Cathedral, followed by a thanksgiving service to mark 148 years since Sofia’s liberation. He later joined a procession and laid flowers at the Bulgarian Volunteer memorial, the Tsar Liberator monument and the monument to Lieutenant General Iosif Gurko in the capital.