On February 7, Bulgaria pay homage to the deed of prominent Bulgarian revolutionary Petko Voivode who fought against the Ottomans in the Rhodopes and Aegean Thrace. The voivode participated at the Russo-Turkish War of 1878 as part of a detachment of rebels. After Bulgaria’s liberation, Petko Voivode received order for bravery from Russian Emperor Alexander ІІ. 

Born in the village of Doganhisar, in Aegean Thrace, Petko Kirkov became a haiduk in his early youth and organized a detachment of Bulgarians, Greeks and even Turks who were rebelling against the Ottoman oppressor. He participated actively in Bulgaria's War of Liberation.

He has remained in Bulgarian history as a brave guardian and protector of the poor and oppressed.

In the autumn of 1864, he was summoned by the Greeks to take part in their struggle against Turkey. Then he left for Macedonia where he participated in the organization of revolutionary activities and then left for Italy. In early 1866, he met with Guiseppe Garibaldi and stayed at his home. Both organized the famous "Garibaldi Battalion" which fought in the Cretan Revolution.

The big patriot and fighter for freedom of all Balkan nations died on February 1, 1900 in Varna

Today, descendants of Bulgarians from the Thrace region from two organizations - the independent Thracian association "Dogan Hisar" and the Georgi Sapunarov Thracian association paid homage to the revolutionary and put wreaths and flowers at his monument in the town of Haskovo.