The times of division create stagnation for our city, said the mayor of Sofia, Yordanka Fandakova, at the opening of the solemn session of the Sofia Municipal Council (SOS) on the occasion of the city's holiday.

Many times we have heard the phrase that Sofia does not deserve to be paid the bill.

Sofia pays its own bills and does not ask for handouts, the soft carpets in the National Assembly quickly make politicians forget about living life, said the mayor of Sofia.

We live in trying times and in SOS we manage to unite on some important decisions, she said.

Sofia does not divide, Sofia gathers us and makes us a part of itself, said the chairman of SOS Georgi Georgiev. 

We were chosen to lead Sofia through the most difficult trials - COVID-19, economic and political crisis, he pointed out.

In the political crisis, impostors tried to declare war on Sofia and the rest of the country, Georgiev also said. 

Honorary citizenship was awarded to the president (1997-2002) Petar Stoyanov, Prof. Tsocho Boyadzhiev (philosopher and historian), Dimitar Manov (choreographer), poet Marin Bodakov (posthumously), artist Lyuben Zidarov, Prof. Mikhail Nedelchev (historian), director Asen Shopov .

A badge of honor was awarded to the former head of the inspectorate, Eng. Veska Georgieva (posthumously), and to the director of the Musical Theater, Mariyana Arsenova.

The Sofia Municipality officially celebrates Sofia Day today, September 17.

On this date, the memory of the holy martyrs Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love is honored.

30 years ago, in 1992, the then Sofia Municipal Council approved a decision by which the Mayor of Sofia submitted to the Council of Ministers a proposal for a decision on the designation of September 17 as Sofia Day, which was accepted by the government.

Since then, every year the Metropolitan Municipality organizes celebrations and events on the occasion of Sofia Day.