Independence Day in Bulgaria

Bulgaria celebrates the 111th anniversary of its sovereignty on September 22, 2019. It was on this day that Prince Ferdinand published a manifesto declaring the country's independence from the Ottoman Empire. This bold step almost led to a new serious war in the Balkans, but with the help of Russian diplomats an armed conflict was avoided. Read on to learn how Bulgaria gained independence, what events preceded it, and why the Bulgarians ended up owing Russia a round sum of gold.

As a result of numerous Russian-Turkish wars and uprisings of the Bulgarian people, the influence of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans was significantly undermined. The European possessions of the Turkish Sultan gradually declined. The next clash between Russia and the Porte (the government of the Ottoman Empire), which occurred in 1877-1878, led to the emergence of an independent Bulgarian principality.

Russian-Turkish War Sultan Abdul Hamid II

On the path to freedom

Despite military victories, Russian diplomats failed to achieve complete freedom for all native Bulgarian lands. As a result, only the north of the country became relatively independent, while the southern regions still remained under the full protectorate of the Ottoman Empire. Naturally, the Bulgarian people did not agree with this situation. However, at that time the small principality could not challenge the still powerful Porte. All that remained was to wait for the right moment, which came only 30 years later.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the situation in the world was very tense. Great powers were in conflict with each other. A new conflict was brewing between Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The Bulgarian government rightly decided that the Porta, weakened by external and internal problems, was unlikely to be able to seriously prevent the declaration of independence of the entire territory of the country.

Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand I

Independence on credit

And so on September 22, 1908, Prince Ferdinand published a manifesto declaring the independence of Bulgaria. The location for this event was not chosen by chance - the city of Veliko Tarnovo is the old capital of the country. The establishment of the Bulgarian kingdom was also announced, the head of which was Ferdinand, who received the crown. As one might expect, the Ottoman Empire was far from delighted with the actions of its former vassals. However, the Porte no longer had the opportunity to launch an immediate invasion. But Bulgaria announced its readiness to defend its freedom with weapons. At this point, the world powers insisted on holding negotiations between the Bulgarian kingdom and the Ottoman Empire.

The Porte did not want to part with its protectorate so easily and put forward the condition that it be paid colossal compensation for the losses incurred. If Bulgaria accepted these conditions, then the entire budget for the next 8-10 years would have to be given to the Ottomans. Naturally, diplomats rejected such a proposal. At this point, Russia intervened in the negotiations, declaring that it was ready to forgive the debts of the Ottoman Empire in the amount of 125 million francs in exchange for the independence of Bulgaria.

Russian Tsar Alexander II Monument to the Tsar-Liberator

Celebration with interest

However, compensation for part of this money, namely more than 80 million gold leva, was assigned to the Bulgarian side. She had to return this money with interest over 75 years, however, already in the 20s the USSR forgave the remaining debt. In 1903, a monument to the Tsar Liberator was unveiled in Sofia. Unfortunately, the period of jubilation for the Bulgarians did not last long.

First, the country emerged victorious in the first Balkan war against Turkey. However, as a result of the defeat in the second Balkan conflict, Bulgaria lost significant territories. And the outbreak of the First World War brought even greater human and territorial losses. Officially celebrating this holiday in Bulgaria began only in 1998. Magnificent celebrations dedicated to this event take place throughout the country. And in the evening of this day, colorful light shows are held annually in Veliko Tarnovo, since it was here that the “Manifesto” was proclaimed.

Alternate history

Readers who think outside of historical patterns will easily discover the striking similarity of the portraits: the Bulgarian prince Ferdinand I and the Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Which suggests their common origin or even kinship. If we imagine that the heads of state were initially in cahoots, then the course of history appears in a completely different light.

Prince Ferdinand announced the Manifesto of Freedom only when there was no longer any strength to restrain the resistance of the Bulgarian people. In turn, the Ottoman Empire was ready for such development. However, the Turks did not miss the chance to rob the enemy - Russia, which intervened in the conflict, forgave the Sultan an impressive part of his debt “for the sake of the freedom of Bulgaria.”

Perhaps the Turkish-Bulgarian war was just a “game of chess” between two rulers. In this case, the fireworks on Independence Day are in honor of Turkish cunning.