Sofia Marks 137 Years Since Its Proclamation as Capital of Bulgaria

Sofia is marking on Sunday the 137thanniversary of its proclamation as capital of Bulgaria.

The decision to declare Sofia as the new capital of Bulgaria was taken shortly after the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878.

The decision to declare Sofia as the capital was taken at the meeting of the constituent assembly held in the then capital of Veliko Tarnovo on 3 April 1879.

In the first year after the liberation, Veliko Tarnovo served as the capital of the restored Bulgarian state, as it had been the medieval capital of Bulgaria before the country fell to the Ottomans at the end of the fourteenth century.

Sofia municipality is organizing a set of festivities to mark the anniversary, including a concert of the Sofia brass orchestra in the City Garden.

Throughout the month of April, the Library of Sofia will host an exhibition entitled "Sofia - my city".

Another exhibition dedicated to the anniversary is National Geographic Bulgaria's "Night Sofia", which can be seen at the City Garden between April 3 and 17.

Sofia History Museum is marking the anniversary with an open doors day, offering children a workshop for postcards and a free museum tour to parents accompanying them.

Sofia municipality and the Library of Sofia launched on Friday their "Sofia - city of books, reading and literacy" campaign, which features various cultural events dedicated to the anniversary throughout the month of April.