The Independence Anthem was first performed on September 22, 1908 in the Black Sea city of Burgas. The author of the melody and lyrics - military bandmaster Georgi Shagunov - notes on the title page of the score that the anthem was written and played an hour after receiving the telegram declaring Independence in Tarnovo, writes the Bulgarian National Radio.
For many years, the work remained forgotten, but was found in the composer's archives and brought back to life at the beginning of the new millennium. You can learn more from Radio Bulgaria's publication The Independence Anthem, Created on September 22, 1908.