Hristo Botev Day

Hristo Botev Day was yesterday, but we celebrated it in Vratsa on Tuesday. It was really incredible. There were fireworks so close that parts of them touched the ground. They lit up the sky behind the statue of Hristo Botev, national Bulgarian hero in the square in Vratsa. Prior to the fireworks the President of Bulgaria and some other politicians gave speeches. There were protestors from Ataka present as well as some other groups voicing their opinions.

Hristo Botev, was a poet and revolutionary hero in Bulgaria. He was born on January 6, 1848 in the town of Kalofer. He died on June 2, 1876 at the age of 28, during the defeat of the 1876 April Uprising against Ottoman domination.

Hristo Botev Day, June 2nd, is similar to Memorial Day in America. It is a day of commemoration for all of those who died for Bulgaria's freedom and independence. At noon, a siren goes off all over the country and a moment of silence is observed for the fallen.

My post from 17 May - Day Trip to Vratsa has a good picture of the Hristo Botev statue. I'll try to upload some from the celebration soon.