A ceremony of placing a wreath before the tomb of the unknown soldier took place in Sofia on Friday.

Present there were President Georgi Parvanov and high-ranking officials of the government.

Then followed a military parade.

The president in his speech made at the parade underscored the need for the army to get always ready as a guarantor of the country's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, such diverse events as a concert and a ceremony of hoisting a national flag were held on the occasion.