National Memory and Identity in Bulgaria: March 3rd, Liberation Day

Every year on March 3rd, Bulgaria celebrates one of its most significant national holidays, the Day of Liberation, honoring a key moment in its history. The event marks the end of nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule and the restoration of Bulgaria as a sovereign state. Many Bulgarians use this day to visit a historical site, such as the Freedom Monument on Shipka Peak, a central place of remembrance, where they attend commemorative events that honor those who fought and died for Bulgaria’s freedom, as well as their country’s past, and express their national identity.

Thousands of people make the journey there each year, many hiking up the mountain in the early morning despite the usually cold and foggy weather. The ceremony includes speeches by public figures, a guard of honor, a moment of silence, and the laying of wreaths and flowers. It's not uncommon to see attendees dressed in traditional clothing, waving Bulgarian flags or carrying other national symbols.

From an anthropological perspective, events like this can be seen as rituals—a concept well-explained by anthropologist Jill Dubisch, who describes them as symbolic, regularly repeated actions that reinforce shared identity, beliefs, and social bonds, and convey meaning or mark significant events.

Located in the Balkan Mountains, Shipka Monument is dedicated to the battles of Shipka Pass in 1877, which significantly contributed to the end and outcome of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878), thus freeing Bulgaria from almost 500 years of Ottoman rule.

The Monument itself is rich in symbolism. Standing 31.5 meters tall and designed to resemble a medieval fortress, it was inaugurated in 1934 as part of a National Park Museum. A bronze lion—an enduring symbol of Bulgaria—guards the entrance, which is reached by climbing 890 steps. Inside, visitors find a sarcophagus containing the remains of fallen soldiers and a six-floor museum detailing the critical battles that took place there during the war.

Visiting Shipka on Liberation Day is more than attending a ceremony—it’s a mini pilgrimage. The journey up the mountain, the silence, the speeches, and the symbolic actions all serve to connect people with their past. In doing so, they reinforce a shared national identity and preserve collective memory.

For those living in Bulgaria or simply interested in its rich cultural heritage, experiencing Liberation Day, especially at Shipka, is a moving and meaningful way to connect with the country’s history and spirit.