22 September is crucial date in the history of Bulgaria. It is true that Bulgaria acted as an independent country from the very first day after its liberation from Ottoman domination in 1878.

But the Great Powers (Austria-Hungary, Britain, Germany, Russia, Italy and France) decided that the Principality of Bulgaria (modern-day Northern Bulgaria and Sofia region) is to be, de jure, vassal to the sultan. Southern Bulgaria was left an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgarians in Macedonia and Thrace remained – without any change – subjects of the Sublime Porte. After the re-unification of Northern with Southern Bulgaria in 1885 the vassalage remained, as did a host of problems. For example, the customs regime imposed on the Ottoman Empire by the Great Powers which meant import duties that were disadvantageous for Bulgaria. In 1908, the nationalist Young Turk revolution triumphed in Istanbul, and it soon became clear that the position of the Bulgarians under Ottoman rule would only get worse. The prospect of a difficult war of liberation was now close. Bulgaria needed independence so as to negotiate favourable loans to build new infrastructure and more modern facilities, and to look for allies. Meanwhile different causes of tension appeared. One of them was formal, though not unimportant: the Sublime Porte demonstrated its power over its vassal state by refusing to invite the Bulgarian ambassador to an important reception given by the Sultan. Soon, diplomatic relations between Sofia and Istanbul were, to all intents and purposes, severed. But then came signals that inspired hope – Russia and Austria-Hungary, in pursuit of their own interests, agreed to recognize a possible Bulgarian (de jure) independence. The crucial decision was made quickly. On 22 September, 1908, in the old capital Turnovo (12-14 c.), the government declared the independence of Bulgaria. The Prince- Ferdinand I – was proclaimed Tsar of all Bulgarians (with the underpinning idea of national unification). In a solemn atmosphere the manifesto was read out from the historic Tsarevets hill. The town, the entire country rejoiced. The Bulgarian army was put on alert but no war followed. The great powers quickly recognized Bulgaria’s independence and helped settle matters of dispute with the Sublime Porte. And Bulgaria continued on its way to victory, but also defeat, success, but also crisis, to everything, good and bad that goes with the life of the free.