On May 6 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors St. George – martyr for the Christian faith who lived in the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th century. St. George is depicted in icons as slaying a dragon. According to orthodox beliefs, St. George was a brave warrior and that is why he is regarded as patron of soldiers. On May 6 the Bulgarian Army marks the Day of Bravery, which was introduced by Knyaz Alexander Battenberg in 1880.

During the times of socialism the holiday was not celebrated and the Bulgarian Army became Bulgarian People’s Army. The party focused predominantly on folklore on May 6 and turned it into Shepherd’s Day in accordance to an ancient tradition of performing rituals on May 6 for protecting livestock. In 1993 the Day of Bravery became once again part of the official Bulgarian holidays. The day is marked with military parades and celebrating the bravery and victories of Bulgarian soldiers. Wars have left a mark in Bulgarian history and the music that accompanies the festivities to this day.

The march “Happy in Battle” emerged during the times of the Balkan War in 1912-1913 Usually the parade on May 6 starts with this march. Author of the music is Captain Kamen Lukov. Lyrics were never written for this march. A year after the march was written, another emblematic Bulgarian military song was born.

“Our fathers left us one legacy – great and sacred, written with sword and blood…” go the lyrics of the Bulgarian military march “Edin zavet” (“One Legacy”) were written by Ivan Yonchev. Music is by chapel master Georgi Shagunov.  The composer dedicated the patriotic song to his son. Written in 1915 in Bulgaria’s Samokov, the march quickly gained popularity and became an indispensable part of the repertoire of students’ and professional Bulgarian choirs.

 “Velik e nashiyat voinik” (“Our soldier is great”) has been the anthem of the Bulgarian army since 2001 and the march is always performed on May 6. It was written nearly a century ago in Ohrid in 1916. Lyrics are by Konstantin Gerogiev. The march is dedicated to the heroism of the 23rd Shipka regiment in 1917. Author of the music is Mihail Shekerdjiev who was conductor at the first performance of the march on the battlefield. An Austrian military orchestra also included the march in its repertoire and that was how one of the most popular military marches was born.

Listen next to a contemporary work by Hristo Tonev, performed by the orchestra of the Bulgarian Army with conductor Dian Dihanov. The magnificent military march you are about to hear is entitled “Festive Sofia.”

English version: Alexander Markov

The audio file contains the following works:

 “Happy in Battle.”

“Edin zavet” (“One Legacy”) 

 “Velik e nashiyat voinik” (“Our soldier is great”)

“Festive Sofia” - a contemporary work by Hristo Tonev, performed by the orchestra of the Bulgarian Army with conductor Dian Dihanov