Hello dear friends and welcome to today's festive edition of Bulgaria Today - Radio Bulgaria's programme in English. On September 6 we celebrate Unification Day - the day when Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia were reunited after the Great Powers divided the newly liberated country from the Ottomans at the Berlin Congress.

It was only possible after a clever and well-prepared campaign, which involved the pulling of political strings as well as military bravery and courage.

On the programme for today, Friday 6 September we offer you an interview with history professor Ivan Ilchev of Sofia's St Kliment Ohridski University, who explains the factors that led to the success of Bulgaria's unification.

Then we have editor Darina Grigorova's perspective on the significance of unification for us Bulgarians today. Although it is a time for celebration, Darina Grigorova raises some very serious questions about the integrity of today's political partisans.

Finally, in our Song of the Day section, we offer three of Bulgaria's most popular patriotic songs.

Stay tuned for a double dose of Bulgarian history.

Bulgaria Today – 6 September 2024