site.btaNew York Mayor Proclaims March 3 Bulgarian Heritage Day

New York City Mayor Eric Adams proclaimed March 3 Bulgarian Heritage Day, the Bulgarian Consulate General in the US metropolis told BTA. The proclamation recognizes the contribution of the Bulgarian community to various aspects of life in New York and marks Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman Turkish rule on March 3, 1878, which the country celebrates as its national holiday.

On March 2, Adams greeted the Bulgarian community on their holiday. He and Consul General Angel Angelov raised the Bulgarian flag in Bowling Green, the oldest public park in the city. The symbolic act was performed to the strains of the Bulgarian anthem, sung live by Gina DiDonato.

The guests were greeted by Bulgaria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lachezara Stoeva, Metropolitan Joseph of the Bulgarian Eparchies in the United States, Canada and Australia, and New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs Ed Mermelstein.

The ceremony was led by Bowling Green Association Vice Chair Ibrahim Kurtulus.

Dozens of performers from local Bulgarian schools and cultural centres staged a concert as part of the ceremony. Catherine E. S. Springer was among the guest artists. Everyone received a martenitsa, a traditional lucky charm associated with the coming of spring.