A photo exhibition called "In Service to People and Homeland" opened today in the square outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre in Sofia. It stays in the capital until 4pm, then tours army garrisons around Bulgaria until 19 November.

The photos mark 148 years since the Land Forces were founded and 141 years since the Bulgarian infantry won the Battle of Slivnitsa in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. The Land Forces Representative Brass Band played at the opening. This is the third year in a row the exhibition has been held.

The pictures show the daily life of soldiers and civilian staff, and were taken by their colleagues at work. They are only a small part of what was collected over the past year.

The exhibition will visit Pleven on 3 November, Belene on 4 November, Svishtov on 5 November, Ruse on 6 November, Shumen on 7 November, Sliven on 8 November, Stara Zagora on 9 November, Haskovo on 10 November, Karlovo on 11 November, Plovdiv on 12 November, Asenovgrad on 13 November, Smolyan on 14 November and Blagoevgrad on 15 November.

Land Forces commander Maj Gen Deyan Deshkov said many people serve in uniform, but they are hard to spot because they work on training grounds, underground, along the coast and wherever they are needed. The photos show what they do around the clock to keep the country safe, he said.

"We are heirs of these troops and we keep the spirit, pride and honour of the Bulgarian infantry," Deshkov said.

Deputy chief of defence Lt Gen Krasimir Kanev thanked those who came up with the idea and organised the exhibition. He recalled the words of an American newspaper editor from early in the last century, who said a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Kanev said a photograph lets people witness moments from the life of the army and appreciate the work of soldiers.

He said the Land Forces mainly take part in NATO and EU missions abroad, and make a major contribution to the security and stability of Bulgaria, the Western Balkans and the wider region.

Kanev also said the world is going through a time of great upheaval: the global order is changing, and different rules and values are taking hold. This affects the military directly, and the challenges facing it are growing fast.

Commanders and troops have focused on intensive training of units, joint training with other branches of the armed forces and commands, and training with allies. Kanev said the army has made progress in working together with allied armies.

People see the Land Forces at work during fires, floods, finds of unexploded munitions and other emergencies. "They react instantly, properly and humanely," Kanev said.

He said not every Bulgarian knows about the effort to maintain the army's capability, the progress in modernisation and the need to speed up to close a gap that has lasted for years, because the times demand it. The exhibition pays deserved respect to the men and women in green uniforms in the Bulgarian Army, and Kanev said he is sure it will earn respect in every city it visits.

The tour ends in the village of Gurgulyat and in Slivnitsa, where there will be a family celebration of the victory next to the monument.