In front of the monument to the poet, publicist and revolutionary Hristo Botev, Razgrad today marked the 149th anniversary of his heroic death and bowed to the memory of those who died for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria.

“The ardent revolutionary, brilliant poet and publicist Hristo Botev is one of the brightest symbols of our nation. With his entire life and work, he became a moral collective for dozens of generations of Bulgarians. The author of the prophetic verses: “He who falls in battle for freedom, he does not die”, dedicated his life to the noblest cause – the freedom of the Fatherland – became one of the symbols of this freedom. Deservedly grateful Bulgaria has set aside a day on its calendar to bow its head before his great sacrifice. Botev Day is also a day for national respect for all who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria”, said the director of the Regional History Museum Tanya Todorova in her speech during the ceremony.

And more: “Every year on this day, the wail of sirens awakens our conscience and reminds us of the high price our people paid to have us today as a nation and a state. The memory of the heroes is a living wound in our national memory. June 2 is one of the saddest days in the Bulgarian calendar – National Memorial Day in memory of Botev and all those who gave their lives for freedom, but at the same time, June 2 is a symbol of Bulgarian dignity and our unity as a nation. The common memory of the brave men and women who wrote the history of Bulgaria with their blood makes us stronger and gives us self-confidence in front of the world and in front of Europe today.

We will once again look into the past, bow our heads before the suffering and the feat of the dead heroes, and in the memory of them we will seek the dimensions of our modern homeland, to make sure once again that Botev’s dream of a free, modern and successful Bulgaria is not a beautiful utopia, but a reality.”

“The memory of Botev and the other heroes is a natural bridge through time, which will always connect the living with the dead, the past with the present and the future. And the cry of the vazov’s hushes: “Long live Bulgaria!” will continue to sound as a symbol of our patriotism and national unity”, concluded Tanya Todorova.

With songs, poems and heartfelt words, children from “Hristo Botev” Secondary School excited those present in front of the monument.

To pay homage to the work of the revolutionary poet and those who died for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria, Mayor Dobrin Dobrev, Chairperson of the Municipal Council Galina Georgieva, Deputy Mayors Polina Ivanova, Elka Nedelcheva, Zornitsa Evgenieva, Habibe Rasim and Secretary of Razgrad Municipality Neli Dobreva, Regional Governor Vladimir Dimitrov, member of parliament Dzhipo Dzhipov, municipal councilors, representatives of the Regional Historical Museum, cultural and educational institutions, organizations, political parties and grateful citizens were present in front of the monument.

The laying of flowers was interrupted by the sound of sirens in memory of Botev and those who died for the freedom of Bulgaria.