Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

“Great is Our Soldier” - the anthem of the Bulgarian army for already 19 years

Photo: BGNES

May 31, 2001 is the date on which by order of Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense one of the most popular military marches became the official anthem of the Bulgarian Army. The announcement took place solemnly, at a concert of a brass band composed of musicians from several groups on the square in front of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in central Sofia.

The war song "Great is Our Soldier" was created during the First World War. The melody was composed in 1916 near Lake Ohrid, by Mikhail Shekerdzhiev, a private in the 23rd Regiment of the 8th Tundzha Infantry Division. The lyrics were written by the journalist Lieutenant Konstantin Georgiev.

As of today, there is no holiday or celebration in the Bulgarian Army that goes without a performance of “Great is Our Soldier! Great is Our Soldier! Great, Great, Great!

Since 2001, May 31st has also been celebrated as the Day of Military Brass Bands. On this occasion, Radio Bulgaria brings you a recollection of the rich history of Bulgaria’s Guards Representative Brass Band - HERE.






Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Cheesefare Sunday reminds us of the meaning of forgiveness and Christ’s infinite love

Sunday after Mesni Zagovezni or Meat Shrovetide is the last day on which everyone who decides to follow the Great Lent according to the Orthodox calendar can eat dairy products, fish and eggs. Therefore, on Cheesefare Sunday before..

published on 2/26/23 8:00 AM
Maestro Diko Iliev meets with a military orchestra

Iskarsko Horo- Diko Iliev’s first horo

Diko Iliev- composer, conductor, a sui generis talent, a unique phenomenon in Bulgarian culture - authored dozens of marches, waltzes, horo chain dances, ruchenitsi and  brass band music . For decades, Diko Iliev’s Dunavsko Horo has been..

published on 2/17/23 6:05 AM

The first guest on Saint Ignatius’ Day blesses our home

On December 20, we pay homage to the holy martyr ‎Ignatius the God-bearer. According to the holy books,  Ignatius was the child mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. The evangelist describes the dispute between Christ's apostles about who among them..

published on 12/20/22 8:05 AM