The 118th anniversary of Bulgaria's declaration of independence will be marked with a ceremony at the "Independence of Bulgaria" monument in Prince Alexander I Square in the capital, according to the Sofia Municipality.

The official event will begin at 11:00 AM, featuring a performance by the National Guard Unit. The festive program includes performances by the "Slavey" vocal quartet, the "Svetoglas" quartet, actress Vasilka Sugareva, and the Sofia Spiritual Orchestra from the "Iskar" Municipal Cultural Institute.

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev will deliver a speech on the occasion of the anniversary.

A short time later, at 12:00 PM, a ceremonial changing of the guard will take place in front of the Presidential Administration building, the Ministry of Defense announced.

Veliko Tarnovo will serve as a major center for the celebrations of the 118th anniversary of the declaration of independence. The festivities there will begin with a liturgy at the historic "St. 40 Martyrs" Church. It was in this very church, following his arrival at Trapezitsa station, that Prince Ferdinand read the manifesto declaring the Independence of Bulgaria on September 22, 1908, alongside the ministers from the cabinet of then-Prime Minister Aleksandar Malinov.