Every year on June 2, Bulgarians honor the memory of poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev and those who died for the Freedom of Bulgaria. Grateful generations lay wreaths and flowers in front of the numerous monuments to Botev in Bulgaria. However, there are not many places where Bulgarians living outside their homeland can show their respect to the hero.

There is a monument to Botev in the park of UNESCO in the Austrian town of Gols, Burgenland. The initiative for its creation came from Bulgaria's great friend in Austria - Professor Nick Titz. The monument is the work of his friend from Stara Zagora - sculptor Kunyo Zhelev. Botev's monument in Gols was officially unveiled on June 2, 1996. Since then grateful Bulgarians not only from Austria but also from neighboring Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic gather to lay flowers at the monument on the Day of Hristo Botev.

In Argentina, also in the 90s of the twentieth century, a monument to Hristo Botev was erected in the Province of Chaco. The region is home to the largest Bulgarian community in the country, which continues to honor the Bulgarian traditions and spirituality.

Over the years, the place where the bust of Botev stands has been recognised as a Bulgarian corner, which is evident from a nearby sign - "Alley of the Republic of Bulgaria", Asya Ivanova, chair of the Civil Association "Bulgarians in Argentina" says.

Traditionally, every year on June 2 the memory of Botev and those who died for the freedom of Bulgaria is honored in Bessarabia.

A monument to the Bulgarian hero was erected in the Moldovan capital Chisinau on Hristo Botev Street back in 1977.

A year later, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Liberation of Bulgaria, a monument to Hristo Botev was unveiled in the Ukrainian city of Izmail. The bust is the work of sculptor Mikhail Nedopak.

The Bulgarian revolutionary is also honored in the center of Odessa. The monument to Hristo Botev is located at the intersection of Prokhorovska and Mechnikova streets.

Two years ago, however, the bronze sculpture and the granite slab with the inscription was stolen by thieves. The restoration of the monument was the result of the quick reaction of the Ukrainian civic organization "Congress of Bulgarians in Ukraine".

Compiled by: Krassimir Martinov

English: Alexander Markov