Warden Messages
Remembrance March in Downtown Sofia
February 6, 2009
The U.S. Embassy would like inform Americans in Bulgaria of a demonstration which will take place in downtown Sofia, on Saturday, February 7, 2009. The Bulgarian National Union (BNU) will organize a torch march to commemorate General Hristo Lukov on Saturday, February 7, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Lukov, was the commanding General of the 13th Division of the Bulgarian Kingdom's Army during World War I, and later a Minister of War. During WWII, he was a great supporter of the Axis powers, particularly Nazi Germany. Lukov was assassinated by Communist partisans in 1943.
The staging point for the march will be the intersection of Vitosha Blvd. and Patriarch Evtimy Blvd. From there they will march to the Unknown Soldier monument (at the intersection of Alexander Nevsky Square, Vasil Levski Blvd, and Knyaz Alexander Dondukov Blvd) and on to Lukov’s assassination site at 1 Trakia Street. At the conclusion of the march, the BNU will hold a concert in the Vlaykova Cinema, 11 Tsar Ivan Asen II Street.
As with any large gatherings, there is always a potential for violence. The Embassy advises American citizens to avoid these areas. If you have planned activities in these areas, please make arrangements to reschedule your event or attendance.
The U.S. Embassy urges American citizens to take steps to ensure their personal security while traveling overseas. Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html, which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. Americans living or traveling in Bulgaria are also encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, to obtain updated information on travel and security within Bulgaria.
The U.S. Embassy is located at 16, Kozyak St., Sofia1407; tel.: (+359 2) 937-5100; fax (+359 2) 937-5209; web site: http://bulgaria.usembassy.gov/.