March 3 –> Liberation Day

On this day people commemorate those who died for the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878. Official ceremony takes place at the Monument of the Unknown Warrior in the capital Sofia, where the Bulgarian flag is raised and flowers and wreaths are placed at the monument.

May 6 –> St. George’s Day

This day marks the Day of the Bulgarian army and the national feast Gergyovden – the celebration of one of the most popular saints in Bulgaria – St. George. A common ritual is to cook and eat a whole lamb, which is an ancient practice possibly related to Slavic pagan sacrificial traditions.

May 24 –> Day of the Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture

On this day Bulgarians from around the country and the world pay tribute to the legacy of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet. In Sofia, a manifestation walks from the National Palace of Culture to the monument of the two brothers.

September 6 –> National Unification Day

On this day Bulgaria celebrates the anniversary of the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. The national celebration is traditionally hosted by the city of Plovdiv, where most of the Unification activities took place in 1885, but the holiday is marked with events all across the country.

September 22 –> Bulgarian Independence Day

On this day Bulgaria marks the anniversary of the formal declaration of its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.

November 1 –> Leaders of the Bulgarian Revival Day (National Enlighteners Day)

On this day Bulgarians pay tribute to all those committed to the Bulgarian culture and education. It is traditionally a day to give awards to outstanding teachers, actors, and artists.