Bulgaria will hold its national celebration of 150 years since the 1877 Shipka epic from 16 to 22 August 2027, the press office of the regional administration in Gabrovo said. The dates were set after a meeting of the Initiative Committee, called by regional governor Kristina Sidorova. The aim is to bring the events of 1877 and the feat of the Bulgarian volunteer fighters to more people in Bulgaria, and to attract more visitors to Shipka peak.

This report follows our earlier story on the regional administration in Gabrovo calling the Initiative Committee for the 150th anniversary of the Shipka epic.

The regional administrations of Gabrovo and Stara Zagora, Gabrovo municipality, the defence ministry, the Shipka-Buzludzha National Park-Museum and other local bodies took part. The press office said they confirmed they will work together and help each other prepare the programme.

Dr Chavdar Angelov, director of the park-museum, presented plans for exhibitions on the Bulgarian volunteer corps and on the heritage of the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation. He said he is ready to work with institutions in Gabrovo and Kazanlak. Angelov said repairs to the Monument to Liberty will not stop the celebrations, and organisers will adapt to conditions on site. The part of the site that is not fenced off as a building site will be open for official ceremonies.

Radoslav Simeonov, chief expert in the "Social Policy and Military-Patriotic Education Policy" directorate at the defence ministry, set out how the Bulgarian Army can take part. He said the ministry's leadership has approved a display of modern land and air equipment and weapons the army uses. The location will be decided once it is clear where the equipment can be placed.

Simeonov added that the "Tradition" National Society is ready to stage a two-day historical re-enactment with scenes from the Shipka battles.

The meeting said the anniversary events must be coordinated with the marking of 150 years since the battles at Stara Zagora. The regional administration in Gabrovo will keep coordinating the institutions.