The Day of Sofia, September 17, is marked with numerous cultural events this year and admission to most of them is free.

The celebrations began with a water blessing ceremony and raising of the flag of Sofia in front of the St. Sophia church to mark the Day of Sofia, attended by President Rumen Radev and National Assembly President Dimitar Glavchev. 

Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandukova expressed her conviction that Sofia was moving in the right direction, adding that though the municipal council members may uphold different positions and may argue, they have always made the best decisions. She added that though coming to the council from different political forces, she hoped its members will stand together on the proposal to bring more order to building regulations and that in the time of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sofia will be able to  demonstrate its potential for doing business and for a better life.

"Sofia is an ancient city, but a city young at heart, a city with much energy and lots of strength and that is the strength and the energy of its people, of each and every one of us. Because we cherish and we change Sofia together.  You, the people living in Sofia are changing it with your knowledge, your talents, aspirations, with your creative critical spirit, with the desire to perform better."

The Sofia Brass Band will be playing in front of the building of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre at 5.30 PM. Throughout the day admission will be free to the Vrana museum-park, the Sofia zoo, the Regional Museum of History - Sofia and the archaeological level of the St. Sophia basilica, as well as to the Sofia City Art Gallery. Sofia municipality will hand out its awards for outstanding achievements in the sphere of culture at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre tonight.

On September 17 the Christian Orthodox church commemorates the holy martyrs Sophia (the name means wisdom) and her daughters Faith, Hope and Love who died for the Christian Faith in 126 AD. It is believed that Bulgaria's capital city was named after the St. Sophia church; St. Sophia is also patron saint of Sofia.