Dobrich is paying tribute to one of the most emblematic figures of the Bulgarian National Revival – Rayna Popgeorgieva Futekova, who has gone down in the nation’s collective memory as Rayna Knyaginya. The event is taking place today, 19 April, in St. George city park, and will feature tableaux and literary readings from her autobiography.

Bulgarians are familiar with the biography of the 20-year old schoolteacher who stitched and proudly carried the flag of the rebels from Panagyurishte during the 1876 April uprising. What is not so well known is that she wrote her autobiography in 1877, and that it was first published in Russian in Moscow, and only translated and published in Bulgaria in 1935. It is, in fact, the first and particularly valuable book about the April uprising, with the personal memories, impressions and feelings of someone who actually took part in these events – Rayna Popgeorgieva.

Through the years the book has been republished many times, but very few first edition copies have survived. One of these rare and exceedingly valuable copies will be presented in Dobrich.

More:

• Rayna Knyaginya – the first qualified midwife after the liberation of Bulgaria

Compiled by Veneta Nikolova

Translated from the Bulgarian and posted by Milena Daynova