Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Independence Anthem of 1908

Photo: BGNES

Today we recall the Independence Anthem, created on the very day Bulgaria's independence was solemnly announced in Veliko Tarnovo. The whole country is celebrating, and in our Black Sea city Burgas, this marching song is being played for the first time. The author is Georgi Shagunov.

On September 22, 1908, inspired by the great event, Shagunov created both the text and the melody of the anthem. He immediately studied it with the military brass band. Unfortunately, the hymn was later forgotten. Found in the composer's archives, it was brought back to life at the beginning of the new millennium.

You can learn more about the Anthem of Independence here.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Awakening a nation—a bright mission through the centuries

Bulgarians are among the few peoples in the world with a holiday dedicated to spirituality—the National Awakeners' Day. We celebrate it every year on November 1 to honor those who awakened the nation to freedom, knowledge and dignity during the dark..

published on 11/1/25 6:50 AM

St. Demetrius Day – a beloved autumn holiday in Bulgaria

St. Demetrius Day – October 26, is celebrated throughout Bulgaria, and his relics, kept in Thessaloniki, are a constant object of veneration by Bulgarians who often travel to Northern Greece. In the folk calendar, St...

published on 10/26/25 7:10 AM

The Anthem of Independence was performed for the first time in Burgas

The Anthem of Independence was performed for the first time on September 22, 1908, in the Black Sea city of Burgas. The author of the melody and lyrics—military bandmaster Georgi Shagunov—noted on the title page of the score that the anthem was..

published on 9/22/25 7:10 AM