SOFIA – On Friday, Sofia marks the 147th anniversary since it was declared Bulgaria’s capital with a rich festive programme. The celebrations include concerts, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and city tours, all open to residents and visitors alike, the organizer, the Sofia Municipality, announced. The festivities began the day before with a concert at the Central Military Club, where Sofia Sinfonietta and soloists from the Filip Kutev National Folk Ensemble presented a special programme conducted by Georgi Andreev. The main programme continues Friday with performances across the city. At the Crystal Garden, the Sofia Wind Orchestra performs, followed by a concert by the Representative Brass Band of the National Guards Unit of Bulgaria in the square in front of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Later, the celebrations move to Zaimov Park with a musical procession featuring the wind orchestra of the First English Language School. In the afternoon, the Poduene Brass Band performs in front of the Sofia Theatre, at the same time a concert titled Celebrating Sofia with Music takes place in front of the Nadezhda Municipal Cultural Institute. The evening program continues in the North Park with a performance by the Nadezhda Youth Wind Orchestra. The cultural program begins earlier in the day at the Central Sofia Market Hall, where screenings from the Buildings Tell a Story series will be held. The Muzeiko children’s science discovery centre hosts educational workshops and science demonstrations throughout the day. A special commemorative postage stamp dedicated to milestones in public transport will be validated at the Tram 83 Tourist Information Center. Those interested in the city’s history can join guided walking tours starting from the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Historical talks will be held at the buildings of Sofia Municipality, offering insight into the city’s architectural heritage. The exhibition program is equally diverse. Crystal Garden hosts the opening of the Writers’ Cafe exhibition, St Nedelya Square presents a photo exhibition titled In the Footsteps of Mykhailo Parashchuk. At the City Garden, the Food and Drink of Bulgarians exhibition will be officially opened. Throughout the day, visitors can also enjoy free admission to the Sofia City Art Gallery and the Regional History Museum of Sofia, along with many other exhibitions across the capital.
Additional initiatives add even more vibrancy to the celebrations. A themed photo corner titled Journey Through Time is set up in Crystal Garden. In the city center, students from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, dressed in retro costumes, will hand out postcards featuring historic views of Sofia. Passengers at Sofia Airport will be welcomed with festive souvenirs. The Knyazheska Garden hosts the Sun Fest Sofia festival, featuring attractions and a Ferris wheel. Blending music, history, and contemporary urban initiatives, Sofia celebrates its anniversary as a vibrant and evolving European capital, one that preserves the memory of its past while looking confidently toward the future.