On January 6, 2023, Friday, at 13.15 in front of the monument to Hristo Botev in the Tsar Simeon Garden in Plovdiv, will be celebrated the 175th anniversary of the birth of the poet-revolutionary.  The ritual, organized by the Plovdiv Municipality, will be attended by honorary units from the Plovdiv Garrison - the Military Brass Band, a representative platoon, wreath bearers and representatives of the "Patriotism" Committee.

Wreaths and flowers will be laid at the monument. A speech about the work and life of the great Bulgarian will be delivered by Desislava Shishmanova from Bulgarian National Television in Plovdiv. The host will be the actor from the Plovdiv Drama Theatre - Simeon Alexiev.

It is expected that the event will be attended by Members of the National Assembly, the Mayor of Plovdiv Municipality, the Regional Governor of Plovdiv Region, representatives of the Regional Administration, the Chairman of Plovdiv Municipal Council, municipal councilors, deputy mayors, district mayors and representatives of the municipal administration, the Public Mediator of Plovdiv Municipality, the Command of Plovdiv Garrison, political and public organizations, media and citizens.

Prior to that, on January 6 at 12:00, the consecration of the battle flags will take place in front of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. On 6 January we celebrate Epiphany or Jordan's Day. According to Orthodoxy, this is the day when John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. That is why the rituals are connected with the consecration of the water and the cross. The day 6 January begins with a festive Epiphany liturgy. The water in the temple is consecrated, and then the ponds in every part of the country. This happens after the priests throw the cross into the icy waters. Folk lore says that whoever catches and pulls the cross out of the water will be healthy all year. Therefore, it has become a tradition on this day for men to dive into the icy waters without fear.

In Plovdiv there will be a procession and a Great Epiphany water service in front of the Water Palace on the Maritsa River. The Epiphany service will also be celebrated in all garrisons of the Bulgarian Army.