Bulgaria declares February 1 national day of mourning for former president Zhelev
Bulgaria’s cabinet has declared Sunday February 1 2015 a national day of mourning after the death of Zhelyu Zhelev, who was president of Bulgaria from 1990 to 1997, the country’s first democratically-elected head of state.
Flags will be flown at half-staff at all public institutions in tribute to Zhelev, who died in the early hours of January 30.
The cabinet has set up a government commission to organise Zhelev’s state funeral.
Headed by Deputy Prime Minister Roumyana Buchvarova, the commission includes former presidents Petar Stoyanov and Georgi Purvanov, as well as the chief of staff of President Rossen Plevneliev’s office, Ekaterina Zaharieva.
The February 1 funeral service will begin at 12pm at Alexander Nevsky cathedral in Sofia.
A book of condolences will be open at the President’s administration in Dondoukov Boulevard, Sofia, on January 31 from 9.30am to 7.30pm. It will also be open on February 1 from noon.
