Declaring 'Great is Our Soldier' for anthem of the Bulgarian Army

On 31 May 2001 the defense minister of the time Boyko Noev declared the march 'Great is Our Soldier' anthem of the Bulgarian Army. The march 'Great is Our Soldier' was created near the Ohrid Lake in 1916 during the World War I, when the Serbian army was defeated and the Bulgarian army was seized by unparalleled enthusiasm and rapture. At that time 23rd Shipchenski regiment was quartered in Ohrid. One of the young officers – second lieutenant Konstantin Georgiev, born in Kazanlak, graduate of the Skopie School for second lieutenant of the reserves, described the battle way of the regiment in four couplets. In a short respite between two hard battles, inspired by the heroic deeds of the Bulgarian soldiers, Mihail Shekerdjiev for just one night composed the exciting melody. As early as the next day it was performed by improvised choir of soldiers from the 23rd infantry Shipchenski regiment. Firstly established as march of 23rd Shipchenski infantry regiment from 8th Tundzhanska division, it has become one of the most militant marches of the Bulgarian army.