Every year on March 3, Bulgaria celebrates its National Day, a date associated with the Liberation of the country and one of the most important moments in Bulgarian historical memory. The day is associated with the signing of the San Stefano Peace Treaty in 1878 after the Russo-Turkish War and remains a symbol of freedom, courage, sacrifice and national hope.
This year, volunteers working on the E-volution Media project, supported by the European Solidarity Corps, joined in covering the celebrations in Veliko Tarnovo and prepared a media material dedicated to the holiday. As part of their activities, they had the opportunity to interview the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo and talk to him about the significance of March 3, the role of historical memory and the participation of young people in the preservation and understanding of national and European values.
For the international volunteers, this was an opportunity to get to know Bulgarian history not only through books or online sources, but also through a personal encounter with the local community, institutions and the atmosphere of the holiday. Their participation in the events in Veliko Tarnovo helped them better understand why this date has such a strong meaning for many Bulgarians.
The interview was prepared as part of the wider activities of E-volution Media — a platform where young people and volunteers create videos, articles, interviews and media stories related to culture, civic life, local communities and European values. In this process, participants develop practical skills in journalism, filming, communication, teamwork and intercultural learning.
March 3 is not only a historical date. It is also an occasion to reflect on freedom, responsibility and the way in which communities remember their past while looking to the future. For our team, covering the celebrations in Veliko Tarnovo was an important opportunity to connect local history with youth media work and international volunteering.
The material prepared by the volunteers will become part of the growing archive of stories of E-volution Media – a space where young voices, local events and European experiences meet. Watch the video here:
