Bulgaria marked solemnly the 170^th birth anniversary of the genius poet and one of the most-beloved national heroes Hristo Botev. He died in 1876 during the April Uprising against the Ottoman rule. The celebrated Bulgarian poet formed a detachment consisting of over 200 people in the course of the uprising. They were onboard Radecky steamship which moored at the Bulgarian shore near Kozloduy to support the Bulgarians who stood against the Ottomans. Three days later, the detachment headed by Hristo Botev suffered a heavy defeat by bashi-bazouk hordes and Botev himself was shot dead near Mount Okolchitsa. The whole Europe learned about his heroic deedand the Bulgarian people who fought for their freedom received a powerful wave of solidarity. Hristo Botev’s short life was dedicated to the Bulgarian spirit and the national cause.

Hristo Botev’s birth town Kalofer marks his 170^th birth anniversary with a series of events, including commemorative service at the Hristo Botev memorial complex. People will also lay Garland of Glory to the monument of the Bulgarian national hero. The 170^th birth anniversary of the Bulgarian revolutionary was marked solemnly in all parts of the country. Sofia History Museum, Sofia Municipality and Narodno Delo Association marked Botev’s birth anniversary in the building of the Sofia History Museum in Bulgaria’s capital. A post card dedicated to the great Bulgarian poet was also validated there. Artist Stoyan Dechev worked on this post card. It is based on Alexander Poplilov’s popular painting.

“Levski is the land of Bulgaria and Botev is the sky”, Stoyan Dechev said quoting the genius Bulgarian artist Ilia Beshkov.

A masterpiece dating back to the middle of the 20^th century - the bust of Hristo Botev made by renowned Bulgarian sculptor Yordan Krachmarov was also presented. A unique exhibition of the collection of engineer Georgi Mandev dedicated to the life and the deed of the Bulgarian poet was also unveiled.

On this occasion Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova told Radio Bulgaria: I would like to thank the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, the Bulgarian Posts and Narodno Delo Association for taking part in our initiatives with this important event. I would like to greet the organizers, because it is our duty to preserve Hristo Botev’s memory and his legacy. We call Botev a genius poet and revolutionary. His works are based on his experience and he chose to fight for Bulgaria’s freedom. This choice is connected with the freedom of spirit and the free thought. Botev once wrote: “Truth is Sacred, Freedom is Dear”. And he remained in eternity and entered the list of the Bulgarian national heroes.

On occasion of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union Bulgaria’s Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Ivaylo Moscovski pointed out: Many worthy Bulgarians deserve a place in the Bulgarian and the world history with their messages, which are valuable not only for our society. It is important to understand that many Bulgarians, which are classified in our history as national heroes, have contributed to the freedom and the ideals of Europe as a whole.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov