site.btaBulgaria Remembers the Fallen for its Freedom and Independence

At noon local time on Friday, the nation paused to remember those who fell for its freedom and independence.

Sirens sounded countrywide to signal two minutes of silence, with pedestrians and transport vehicles except trains coming to a halt.

The MPs and journalists present in Parliament's debating chamber also rose and remained silent while the intermittent siren signal continued.

June 2 marks the anniversary of the heroic death of Bulgarian revolutionary poet, journalist and freedom fighter Hristo Botev on that date (old style May 20) in 1876 near the Okolchitsa Peak in the Western Balkan Range (Northwestern Bulgaria) during an uprising against Ottoman rule.

Addressing a commemoration at Okolchitsa Peak, Prime Minister Galab Donev said that "to our national heroes freedom is a choice and struggle" and that "freedom is resistance to any manifestation of tyranny and lawlessness". Donev called on his compatriots to heed the behest of Botev and those who laid their lives for free and independent Bulgaria. 

Sofia Deputy Mayor Doncho Barbalov, pupils and members of the public attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Botev's bust in Sofia. Floral tribute was paid on behalf of Prime Minister Donev, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, and Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, among others.