Bulgaria marks 143 years since the April Uprising

Residents of Bulgaria’s town of Oborishte (Central Bulgaria) and visitors from across the country gathered on May 2 in the historic town to pay tribute to the heroes from the April Uprising, who sacrificed their lives for Bulgaria’s liberation.

143 years ago, at this place, the sitting of the first Bulgarian Grand National Assembly took place and 30 days later, the decision for the start of the April Uprising was made. The first MPs did not have a parliamentary hall but their decisions, made in the forest, changed the course of history.

The commemorative ceremony was attended by the Speaker of Bulgaria’s Parliament, Tsveta Karayncheva. As part of the tradition, other commemorative events were held in Panagyurishte, Koprivshtitsa and Klisura on 1st of May - centres where 143 years ago the armed struggles for independence took place.

The April Uprising broke out on 1st of May 1st (20th of April according to the old style caledar) in 1876. It was suppressed by the Ottoman authorities, but produced a wide international response and indirectly resulted in the establishment of Bulgaria as an independent nation in 1878.