Botev Day in Bulgaria

Christo Botev (1847-1876)For every Bulgarian, Botev Day is the day of all those who fell for the national and social liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman invaders. The legendary poet Hristo Botev is the national hero of Bulgaria. His poems are familiar to all Bulgarians.

In May 1876, Khr. Botev, at the head of a small detachment of rebels, arrived along the Danube on the ship "Radetsky" (in the Kozloduy region) to help the rebels in Bulgaria. By then, however, the April uprising of the Bulgarians for national liberation had already been brutally suppressed by the Turks. Unable to meet the necessary support, Botev's detachment undertook a hike to Stara Planina mountain, where under the top of Okolchitsa was defeated by the Turkish army. Botev himself died the death of heroes, but his grave has not been found to this day.

On the eve of June 2, on the square in front of the People's Assembly in Sofia, a solemn dawn is held, and on the 2nd at exactly 12.00, the howl of sirens and horns throughout the country interrupts the movement and work of people for 3 minutes.