Ref Number: 215
Ref Number: 215
The monument dedicated to Hristo Botev stands as the inaugural tribute in the Alley of the Revival within the Sea garden. The honour to design the monument was bestowed upon the sculptor Zheko Spiridonov, who is also responsible for the monuments of Vasil Levski and Count Ignatiev in Varna.
Hristo Botev (1848–1876) is celebrated as one of Bulgaria’s most esteemed national figures—a poet, revolutionary, and steadfast champion of liberty. Born in Kalofer to a schoolteacher’s family, Botev’s early education deeply engaged him with Bulgarian folklore and the ideas of European revolutionaries. In 1863, he departed for Odessa, where his passionate nature and defiant spirit flourished.
Botev’s writing was as incisive as his blade. His poems, crafted with bold and unyielding language, urged for sacrifice, defiance, and the honour of a liberated populace. Works like “Hadji Dimitar” and “My Prayer” stand as enduring masterpieces of Bulgarian literature, intertwining deep personal emotion with a powerful rallying cry.
While in exile, Botev forged connections with fellow Bulgarian revolutionaries, such as Vasil Levski, and engaged with émigré newspapers that disseminated revolutionary ideals. In May 1876, amidst the April Uprising against Ottoman domination, he commanded a group of insurgents as they crossed the Danube on the Austrian steamer Radetzky. They landed on the opposite bank close to Kozloduy, hoisting the banner of liberty, but were quickly encircled by Ottoman troops.
Botev met his end in the mountains close to Vratsa, at the young age of just 28. His brief existence created a lasting impact: a blend of verse and deeds that captures Bulgaria’s struggle for freedom.
The monument was inaugurated on July 27, 1911, and the photograph illustrates the unveiling ceremony.The chosen date was intentional, marking the Liberation Day of Varna.
The initial concept was to reveal a new monument annually following the inaugural one, starting on July 27. The next year, in 1912, the monument dedicated to Vasil Levski was revealed. However, that very year marked the onset of the Balkan War, succeeded by the Second Balkan and First World Wars, which temporarily shelved the initial concept until 1920.
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