Bulgarians began nationwide celebrations on Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

In the capital city of Sofia, commemorations were held before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with guard of honor and veterans of World War II paying tribute to the fallen Bulgarian patriots and Soviet soldiers.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party leader, Sergei Stanishev, said at a ceremony that his fellow countrymen would never forget the sacrifices and contributions by the Soviet army.

The Bulgarians should join other people in the world in the struggle against war to ensure future generations will live for ever in peace, he said.

In the coastal city of Varna, Transport and Communications Minister Nikolai Vasilev laid a wreath to the monument to the Soviet army. He also met with the Russian Consulate officials to express thanks for the liberation by the Soviet army from Nazi Germany.

Organizations for Bulgaria-Russia friendship and anti-fascist groups staged mass rallies and demonstrations in the northeastern city of Dobrichi to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. At the foot of the city's monument to the Soviet army, participants erected a warning board bearing the words " Peace, Never War".