Bulgaria celebrates the 129^th anniversary since the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and the then-Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia. The Bulgarian population under Ottoman rule strived for unification with its liberated compatriots. The Unification took place in the autumn of 1885, after rebellions in different towns of Eastern Rumelia, followed by a military coup d’etat, supported by the Bulgarian Knyaz Alexander I. The merging of Principality of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia was finally affirmed with the recognition of Bulgaria’s independence in 1908. The city of Plovdiv, which marks its fest toady as well, is the center of celebrations. The fest kicked off at the Mother Mary Cathedral with a prayer. Wreaths and flowers were placed in front of monuments, related to this essential historical event. The solemn illumination at the Unification square, attended by President Rosen Plevneliev and PM Georgi Bliznashki, will be the peak of the event.