On June 2, Bulgaria marks the 145 anniversary since the death of one of its national heroes. On this day in 1876, the renowned poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev lost his live in a battle for the independence of Bulgaria. All Bulgarians grow up with Botev’s poetry. “He who falls in battle for freedom, never dies”, said the celebrated Bulgarian poet. On this day, the grateful descendants of Hristo Botev honor all those who gave their lives for their motherland.

That is why June 2 is not a day of mourning. It is a memorable date, which makes us proud of the work of the Bulgarian patriots who have their names written in golden letters in Bulgaria’s history. On this day, all Bulgarians bow their heads to commemorate the fallen heroes. Exactly at 12.00 pm, everyone stands still while sirens sound for two minutes across the country.

People in Bulgaria and abroad mark the Day of Hristo Botev with official ceremonies. They lay flowers and wreaths to the monuments of the Bulgarian revolutionaries and recite Botev’s poems. Military brass orchestras also participate at the commemorative events.

The commemorative ceremonies in honor of Botev and the Bulgarian revolutionaries began before this country’s liberation from the Ottoman Rule. The sirens sounded across Bulgaria for the first time in 1948, when this country marked the 100^th anniversary since the birth of the great Bulgarian poet and revolutionary.

The commemorative ceremonies traditionally culminate in the town of Vratsa (Northwest Bulgaria) and the Vratsa Balkan Mountain. The last battle of Botev and his fellow rebels took place on Okolchitsa peak on June 2, 1876. The town of Vratsa is ready to welcome tourists again, as last year the official celebrations were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “At this time of year, Vratsa and the entire region commemorate the heroic work of Hristo Botev and his detachment – says the correspondent of the BNR Iva Antonova. Between May 27 and June 2, or during the so-called Days of Botev, the Regional Library in Vratsa, which is named after the great Bulgarian poet, organizes an interesting online initiative. Every day it posts stories on Facebook connected with the heroic events of 1876, as well as interesting details about the traditional trek named “Along the path of Botev’s detachment”. The initiative is carried out through the digital archive “Time Map” which traces the march of Hristo Botev and his fellow rebels from the Danube shore near the town of Kozloduy to the legendary peak Okolchitsa. The organizers of this year’s celebrations want to make the commemorative programme accessible and bring as many people together as possible. Thus, tourists who have never visited this Bulgarian region before, will be able to learn little-known details and hear stories passed down from generation to generation.”

Compiled by: Gergana Mancheva

English version: Kostadin Atanasov