Date and public holiday status
International Women’s Day takes place on 8 March every year and is dedicated to women’s rights and achievements. In Bulgaria, it is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day.
In 2026, 8 March falls on a Sunday. In 2027, it falls on a Monday, and in 2028, on a Wednesday. The date remains the same each year, regardless of the day of the week.
How the day began
The day grew out of women’s campaigns for voting rights, better working conditions and equality in the early twentieth century. In 1910, at an international conference in Copenhagen, the German activist Clara Zetkin proposed an annual women’s day. The date of 8 March became established in the years that followed.
The United Nations first observed International Women’s Day in 1975. In 1977, it called on all countries to celebrate the occasion.
Celebrations in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, 8 March is one of the most widely celebrated occasions. Mothers, grandmothers, wives, female colleagues and teachers receive flowers, cards and small gifts. Many workplaces organise festive gatherings, while children make gifts at kindergarten and school.
These celebrations recognise women both within families and in working life. Although mothers are among those receiving gifts, International Women’s Day is distinct from Mother’s Day, which some countries celebrate on a different date.