site.btaParliament Chair Kiselova to Join Independence Day Celebrations in Veliko Tarnovo

National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova will take part in the official celebrations of the 117th anniversary of Bulgaria’s Independence on September 22 in the north-central town of Veliko Tarnovo, Parliament’s press office said Sunday.

Kiselova will attend a festive liturgy at the Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs, celebrated by Metropolitan Grigoriy of Veliko Tarnovo. She will also witness the military ceremony of raising the national flag at the Tsarevets Architectural and Museum Reserve, deliver a speech, and lay flowers at the Independence Pyramid.

Later, the Parliament Chair will join the procession and wreath-laying at the “Mother Bulgaria” monument and attend the performance of the 18th International Festival of Military Orchestras. In the evening, she will accept the report of the commander at the solemn fireworks and military tattoo on Tsar Assen I Square and deliver a speech marking the anniversary of Independence.

On September 22, 1908, after a prayer service at Tarnovo's historic Church of the Forty Holy Martyrs, in the presence of the Cabinet members, MPs and other officials, Prince Ferdinand I read a Manifesto which proclaimed the vassal Principality of Bulgaria an independent kingdom.