Radio Bulgaria

On 6 September Bulgaria celebrates its Unification that took place on 6 September 1885. Following the unfair resolution of the 1878 Congress of Berlin, the Great Powers divided newly liberated Bulgaria into three parts – the Principality of Bulgaria, Eastern Rumeila and Macedonia and Edirne Thrace. The latter part inhabited predominantly by ethnic Bulgarians, had to remain within the borders of the Ottoman Empire. The Berlin Treaty was a cruel blow to Bulgaria, and provoked unrest immediately. Soon a revolutionary committee was set up with the goal of carrying out Bulgaria’s unification. Captain Kosta Panitsa, Ivan Stoyanovich and Zahari Stoyanov were the key leaders of the unification movement. The Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia was proclaimed on 6 September 1885.

The National Anthem of Bulgaria created by Tsvetan Radoslavov, gives the start to a concert of patriotic songs and marches on the occasion of Unification. The classic of Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov wrote the poem Where is Bulgaria. It was made into a song in the early 20 c. The melody is by an unknown composer. Listen to it next performed by Haidushka Pesen Choir.

Another poem by Ivan Vazov, Quiet White Danube was dedicated to the 1876 crossing the Danube off Kozlodui by the detachment led by Bulgaria’s poet of genius Hristo Botev. The song has become one of the most popular patriotic classics ever since. Listen to it in the rendition of the Bulgarian National Radio Mixed Choir with conductor Mikhail Milkov.

The song Great is Our Soldier emerged in 1916 in the town of Ohrid, today in the Republic of Macedonia. Originally it served as a march of the 23rd Shipka Regiment. The lyrics were written by Konstantin Georgiev, and the music – by Mikhail Shekerdjiev.

The song The Maritza Is Tumultuous was the song originally sung by the Bulgarian volunteers during the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War of Liberation. After Unification in 1885 The Maritza is Tumultuous became Bulgaria’s national anthem and remained so until 1948.

English version Daniela Konstantinova