Revival Day in Bulgaria
Revival Day is a holiday in Bulgaria that commemorates the national revival leaders. This day honors all the work performed by individuals during the national liberation movement. It’s a public holiday in Bulgaria, but it’s not a day off for most people.
Bulgaria (Observance)Some of the national leaders honored on this day include Ivan Vazov, Saint Ivan of Rila, and Hristo Botev. Of course, this is only a short list of the Bulgarian national leaders celebrated on this day. Also celebrated on this holiday are two other holidays: the Day of Bulgarian Journalism and the Day of Bulgarian Science.
The History of Revival Day in Bulgaria
Revival Day is a public holiday in Bulgaria that has been observed continuously for many years. However, in 1945, the communist regime of the country banned this holiday because it contradicted typical Soviet censorship and propaganda at the time. Even though it was publicly banned during this period, it never stopped being celebrated privately by Bulgarians.
When the Soviet Union collapsed at the beginning of the 1990s, Bulgaria was once again able to celebrate this holiday, which it did in 1992. Starting at the turn of the 20th century, a new celebration was added to the ways Bulgarians have celebrated this holiday. This new celebration involved the raising of the national flag and the changing of the guard at the Presidency.
Observing Revival Day
Besides the raising of Bulgaria’s flag during the changing of the guard at the Presidency, this holiday is also celebrated in a number of other ways. People use the day to learn more about their national leaders or to visit loved ones. It’s also a day when many students organize special parades and some museums offer free admission to the general public.
Bulgaria (Observance)
