With a ceremonial sitting the National Assembly has marked the 135th anniversary of the Constituent National Assembly and the adoption of the Tarnovo Constitution.

The anthem of Bulgaria was performed at the ceremony’s opening, which was broadcast live on the Bulgarian National Television and Radio.

In his address to the deputies and the guests the Speaker of the National Assembly Mihail Mikov noted that 135 years after its adoption the Constitution of Tarnovo is still appealing to and revered by the next generations. Something more, as time goes by the historic, scientific and people’s interest in it increases, Mikov added. The Constitution of Tarnovo ages but its ideas and merits do not. It was the first Constitution of the new Bulgarian state, revived from five centuries of Ottoman yoke, said the head of parliament.

Heads and members of parliamentary groups have also addressed the assembly on the occasion of the anniversary. The official sitting was attended by the President of Bulgaria, Rosen Plevneliev, as well as by Vice-President Margarita Popova, Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski , government members, high magistrates, the Ombudsman, by representatives of religious denominations and diplomatic missions, leaders of state institutions, local government, academic and civil organizations, former speakers of the National Assembly, former presidents and prime ministers.

His Holiness Patriarch Neofit was guest at the ceremony.