A bell ringing marked the beginning of the celebration of the 145th anniversary of the liberation of Sofia from Ottoman rule. Then a memorial service of thanksgiving was held in the St. Nedelya church. 

National Guard units stood guard of honour at the Monument to the Bulgarian Volunteers. Vice President Iliana Iotova also took part in the commemoration. 

"Freedom can neither be bought nor given away. One either carries it in one's soul and mind or remains a slave forever. The Bulgarian volunteers, those young men with lion hearts who did not spare themselves to fight for a free and independent Bulgaria, did not not care who would try to give them orders and what they would be promised. Those hot heads made Bulgarian freedom possible. Today more than ever we need their inspiring example," Iotova told the many people who had gathered in front of the monument.