Balgarianovinite.com With a festive concert, official reception, and an exhibition of panoramic photographs, Bulgarian culture “came to life” in the heart of Bavaria on March 3, marking Bulgaria’s National Day. The highlight of the celebrations in Munich was the symbolic illumination of the Gasteig Cultural Center in the colors of the Bulgarian flag. The Gasteig Centre hosted a concert, reception, and exhibition.
The evening opened with performances of the national anthems of Bulgaria and Germany, followed by welcoming remarks.
“March 3 is a day of remembrance and gratitude. But it is also a day that reminds us that freedom above all means responsibility – the responsibility to build our future together, guided by trust and vision,” said Bulgaria’s Consul General in Munich, Stefan Yonkov, in his address during the festive concert.
He then invited the audience on a virtual journey through Bulgaria. A video presenting stories from across the country was screened, with narration by the Consul General himself.
Eric Beisswenger, State Minister for European and International Affairs of the Free State of Bavaria, also delivered a greeting.
“Bulgaria is an important partner for the Free State of Bavaria in Southeastern Europe. Together we look to the future – Bavaria as a strong hub of innovation, and Bulgaria as a dynamically developing member state of the European Union. Our cooperation delivers tangible results. Economically, we are closely linked, and trade has tripled since Bulgaria’s accession to the EU,” he noted.
According to him, Liberation Day – which marks the beginning of modern Bulgarian statehood – symbolizes freedom, self-determination, and the courage of a nation that believes in its future, “values that are deeply rooted in Bavaria as well”.
“March 3 is not just a date. It represents the rebirth of a nation that refused to live on its knees – a nation that, guided by faith in God, demonstrated courage and unwavering love for its homeland,” said Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe. He emphasized that freedom is not a given but a responsibility, and urged people to cherish their homeland not only on significant anniversaries, but every day.
The speeches were followed by a festive concert, featuring singer Desi Dobreva, the Lazarka Ensemble in Munich, and children from the two Bulgarian schools in Munich.
Throughout the concert, the foyer of the Gasteig Cultural Center was illuminated in the colors of the Bulgarian flag as part of a broader series of initiatives in the fields of science, culture, politics, and economics through which the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Munich marked March 3.
Thanks to the illumination, the white, green and red of the Bulgarian flag was visible from outside through the building’s windows. The foyer also hosted an exhibition of panoramic photographs showcasing cultural and historical landmarks in Bulgaria.
Guests at the concert and reception received handmade Bulgarian martenitsa – a traditional spring amulet in Bulgaria. The back of the packaging included an explanation in German describing the tradition and symbolism of the martenitsa.
Among the official guests were Eric Beisswenger; Tobias Gotthardt, State Secretary at the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs; Markus Rinderspacher, Deputy Speaker of the Bavarian State Parliament; representatives of the Bavarian State Chancellery, Bavarian institutions, and the City of Munich; consuls general and members of the diplomatic corps; representatives of Bulgarian and Bavarian universities, business leaders, and media; members of the management of FC Bayern Munich; Nikolaus Djukic, Head of the Bavarian University Center for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (BAYHOST); Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe; Nedyalco Kalinov, parish priest of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community in Munich; Father Yulian Angelov of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Community in Berlin; as well as singer Lucy Diakovska.
Earlier in the day, representatives of Bulgarian and Bavarian universities signed academic partnership agreements at the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Munich.
The Gasteig Cultural Center is one of Munich’s largest cultural complexes and a key hub for music, education, and cultural life in the Bavarian capital. Bulgarian Culture Takes Center Stage in Munich on March 3 National Day 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-03-04 08:57:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law