Today, March 2, 2024, on the occasion of our national holiday, a solemn ceremony was held to raise the Bulgarian flag in the square in the oldest public park in New York - Bowling Green. The celebration was attended by many Bulgarians and their friends. A special guest at the event was the mayor of New York - Eric Adams, who greeted all our compatriots on the occasion of March 3 and, together with the Consul General Angel Angelov, raised the Bulgarian tricolour. The national anthem of Bulgaria was performed live by the artist Gina Di Donato.

For the first time, the mayor of New York issued a Proclamation declaring March 3 as Bulgarian Heritage Day, recognizing the enormous contribution of the Bulgarian community in a number of spheres of life in New York. The Proclamation also noted March 3, 1878 as the date of restoration of statehood of a nation known for its arts, cuisine, natural beauty and biodiversity.

All guests were also welcomed by Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the UN, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, the diocesan of the USA, Canada and Australia, and Edward Mermelstein, the New York city’s Commissioner for International Affairs. The ceremony was led by Ibrahim Kurtulus, vice president of the association managing the Bowling Green Park.

The performances of graduates of Bulgarian schools and cultural centers in New York - Children's Bulgarian choir "Gergana", school "Hristo Botev", young Bulgarian voices and dance group "Gorana", contributed to the festive mood at the Bowling Green.