The National Day of Bulgaria, March 3, was marked here on Sunday with a celebration at the old building of the Bulgarian Metochion in Balat, a monument of Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage in Turkiye, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The event was organized by the Bulgarian Consulate General in Istanbul.

Among the guests were were Barbaros Buyuksagnak, Director of the Foreign Relations Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, representatives of the Bulgarian Exarchate, the Bulgarian community in Istanbul, the Consulate General, and guests. Bulgarian Consul General in Istanbul Vasil Valchev greeted the attendees.

Buyuksagnak commented for BTA that the friendship and cooperation with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality acquired a new dimension and vision thanks to the active cooperation of the Bulgarian Consulate General and the community of Istanbul Bulgarians from the Bulgarian Exarchate in Sisli. "We are currently discussing several new projects that will boost the relationship between us," he added.

Prior to the celebration, a service was officiated at the Bulgarian Iron Church to mark March 3. A prayer service was held for the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of Bulgaria.