BNT 1 will begin broadcasting the national celebrations for Independence Day starting this morning. From 9:20 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., viewers can follow the festive studio program "Independent Bulgaria," hosted by Stefan A. Shterev, Nadya Ivanova, and Dimitar Stoyanovich. Guests on the program will include Prof. Ivan Ilchev, Prof. Veselin Metodiev, Prof. Aleksandar Kyosev, and Prof. Milena Kirova.

During the studio session, Boyko Vasilev will present his new documentary film "William of the People and the Bulgarians," which is dedicated to William Gladstone. There will also be reports from Veliko Tarnovo — from the National Assembly building and the "Forty Holy Martyrs" Church, symbolizing the country's journey from Liberation to the declaration of Independence.

The program crews will also report live from Dve Mogili. It was there, on the night leading into September 22, that Aleksandar Malinov wrote the Manifesto for the Proclamation of Independence. Viewers will also learn more about the personal life of Tsar Ferdinand through preserved items and documents from that era. Architect Yasen Kyosev will discuss how Independence shaped the country's appearance and how Sofia gradually transformed into a modern European capital. Daniela Lalova will join live from the Monument of Independence in Sofia alongside historian Stefan Dechev.

From 10:25 a.m., BNT 1 will broadcast live the ceremony for raising the national flag in Veliko Tarnovo — the city where the act of independence was declared in 1908. In the evening, from 7:25 p.m., a solemn ceremonial salute is scheduled to mark the 118th anniversary of the event.

The channel's musical programming includes a concert by the laureates of the "Old Songs with a New Voice" 2026 competition, starting at 12:30 p.m. From 4:15 p.m., viewers can watch a concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, recorded in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, and from 10:45 p.m., a concert by Graff is scheduled from Vasil Levski Stadium.

The BNT 1 cinema program begins at 1:25 p.m. with the French feature film "Zodi and Thayu – Brothers of the Desert." Immediately following it, at 3:15 p.m., is the premiere of Nikolay Tomov's documentary "The Capital of Professor Minko Balkanski." From 5:45 p.m., the Bulgarian feature film "Letter to America" by director Iglica Trifonova will be shown, and in the evening, at 9:00 p.m., viewers will see the premiere of Svetoslav Ovcharov's latest feature film, "The Bet," starring Zahari Baharov and Asen Blatechki.

In parallel, BNT 2 is preparing its own selection of film and music titles for the holiday. The programming on the culture and education channel begins at 12:30 p.m. with the documentary "Bulgaria, Independent Forever," dedicated to the historical context surrounding the declaration of Independence.

From 3:00 p.m., BNT 2 viewers can watch the concert-spectacle "Mystical Rhythm," and from 4:30 p.m., comes the feature film "Nona" by director Grisha Ostrovski, based on "The Chiflik by the Border" by Yordan Yovkov. The film stars Dorothea Toncheva, Stefan Danailov, Stefan Peychev, Katya Paskaleva, and Yosif Sarchadzhiev.

From 5:55 p.m., the program continues with the documentary "The Day of Independence" by Dimitar Stoyanovich and director Hristo Zhivkov. In the evening, from 7:15 p.m., the documentary "This is Bulgaria: Embers of Memories" will air, followed at 8:00 p.m. by the television musical "Zeh ta, Radke, zeh ta," based on a comedy by Sava Dobroplodni, with a script and direction by Hacho Boyadzhiev. The production features Georgi Partsalev, Iliya Dobrev, Ruzha Delcheva, Madlen Cholakova, Georgi Radanov, Tatiana Lolova, Hindo Kasimov, Stefan Danailov, and other famous Bulgarian actors.

The festive evening on BNT 2 will conclude with the concert-spectacle "I am, Bulgariyo, your daughter" by Poli Paskova and the "Chinari" Ensemble, scheduled for 9:30 p.m.