JULY 22
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1877: Russian troops liberate Stara Zagora from Ottoman rule during 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War.
1949: Polish reading room (renamed Cultural and Information Centre in 1957, and Polish Institute in 1994) opens in Sofia.
2017: Boyan Petrov climbs Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) in Pakistan, becoming first Bulgarian to have scaled nine eight-thousanders. Petrov is last seen on May 3, 2018, while attempting to climb Shishapangma (8,027 m).
JULY 23
The world:
– National Day of Egypt: Revolution Day (1952).
On this date in Bulgarian history:
1879: Diplomatic relations established with Britain at level of diplomatic agencies. Relations severed on September 22, 1915, restored on September 27, 1920 at level of legations. Severed again on March 4, 1941, restored on February 12, 1947 at level of legations. Promoted to embassy level on December 3, 1963.
1926: First Varna Music Festival takes place. Transformed into Varna Summer Festival in 1963, which goes international in 1966.
1934: Diplomatic relations established with Soviet Union at level of legations. Relations severed on September 5, 1944, restored on August 14, 1945. Promoted to embassy level on January 6, 1948. On October 23, 1991 the Russian Federation officially supersedes the Soviet Union, protocol signed that day establishes diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the Russian Federation.
1934: Union of Bulgarian Film Makers set up.
1973: Bulgarian scientific discovery, a 6th heart sound, by Prof. Ivan Mitev, announced (formally registered in 1979).
1991: Thirty-nine protesting MPs of Union of Democratic Forces return to Grand National Assembly after going on hunger strike on May 14 in protest at draft Constitution.
