Sofia marks 145 years since its liberation from Ottoman rule

Sofia marks 145 years since its liberation from Ottoman rule.

On January 4 1878, the Bulgarian Volunteer Corps, together with Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Finnish, Romanian, Serbian, Montenegrin and Moldovan soldiers, led by the famous Russian General, Yosif V. Gurko, liberated the city.

A thanksgiving service was held at the St Nedelya Church to mark the occasion. Guard units stood guard of honour at the monument of the Bulgarian Volunteers Corps.

"On this day 145 years ago Sofia was liberated. This is a great step towards the centuries-old efforts of generations of Bulgarians for an independent Bulgarian state," said Doncho Barbalov, Deputy Mayor of Sofia.

"Today we would not have had this wonderful capital if it were not for the Bulgarian Volunteers, if it were not for the liberation war. If it were not for the courage of those brave Bulgarians who were free in their hearts and souls before freedom," said Iliana Yotova - Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

"This is a wonderful day for us. A remembrance of the heroism of the Russian, Finnish, Romanian soldiers, as well as of the glorious volunteers," said Alexander Gyurov.

The prayer was held in front of the icon with the image of the Holy Virgin Mary, which is the icon in front of which the first prayer service for the liberation of Sofia was held.

At the end of the service Bishop Polycarp of Belogradchik said "May the freedom that dawned in this city 145 years ago also dawn in our hearts and souls."

The Sofia City Art Gallery and the Regional Museum of History will be open with "free-of-charge entrance" for visitors.

Images by Dessislava Kulelieva