Bulgaria marks 151 years since the death of national hero Vassil Levski

On 19th February, 2024, Bulgaria honours the memory of the national hero, Vassil Levski (Vassil Ivanov Kounchev). and marks 151 years since the day he was hung.

Vassil Levski was a leading figure in the fight of the Bulgarian people against Ottoman rule in the late 19th century. He was a revolutionary, democrat, ideologist, organiser and leader of the Bulgarian national liberation movement, founder of the Internal Revolutionary Organisation (IRO) and of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee (BRCC).

He was called the Apostle of Freedom by the Bulgarian people for his self-sacrifice in developing a strategy to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.

Vassil Levski organised the revolutionary movement across Bulgaria for several years. He established numerous revolutionary committees and started preparing the people for a general uprising. Betrayed by a traitor, he was captured by the Ottoman authorities and was executed by hanging on 18th of February 1873 in the outskirts of Sofia.

Every year on this day, thousands of people pay tribute to the national hero and lay wreaths and flowers to the monuments dedicated to him across the country. Memorial services, processions, film showing, firework displays and other events are organised throughout the day to mark the occasion.

Children from the capital sang songs and recited poems. There is a long queue of people who have come to lay wreaths and flowers at the monument dedicated to Vassil Levski and to express their respect to his feat, heroism and personality.

Wreaths and flowers were also presented by the Levski football team - by the club management and fans.

The celebrations will culminate tonight at 5:55 pm at the monument in Sofia. Members of the public will be allowed through three checkpoints and will be screened for dangerous items beforehand. BNT will broadcast the commemoration ceremony live.

Images by Dessilava Kulelieva