Bulgarians around the world celebrate Independence Day

The Bulgarian-Swiss association Kanatitsa — a guardian of Bulgarian traditions, language, and culture — sent greetings via their Facebook page to Bulgarians around the world for 22 September, Bulgarian Independence Day.

"On 22 September, Bulgaria celebrates one of the most significant events in its modern history. On this date in 1908, the Bulgarian state, one of the oldest in Europe, declared its independence,” wrote the association.

"Independence Day is also an occasion to reflect on freedom and democracy, and on the great things we can achieve together. It is a day when we Bulgarians should celebrate having the opportunity to make our own choices. Without independence, someone else would decide for us," Kanatitsa added.

Established in 2021, Kanatitsa has become the leading association of the Bulgarian community in Switzerland and neighbouring France.

Rosen Zhelyazkov, the Bulgarian Prime Minister, is currently in the United States leading the country's delegation to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He will be a special guest at a reception for the Bulgarian community organised by the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York to celebrate the holiday.

The day was also celebrated by the close-knit Bulgarian community in South Africa. On Sunday, pupils from the Slancho Bulgarian school performed in a special programme. The school gives children of Bulgarians living 12,000 kilometres from home the chance to learn the language and experience the culture of their homeland. There are more than 4,000 Bulgarians living in South Africa.