site.btaBulgarians in Taraclia Mark 187th Birth Anniversary of Freedom Fighter Vasil Levski

The 187th anniversary of Bulgarian revolutionary Vasil Levski's birth was marked Thursday with a thematic discussion meeting in the Moldovan town of Taraclia, in a youth centre bearing Levski’s name. Journalist, public figure and poet, Dimitar Borimechkov, took part in the event and told the audience about the life and work of Vasil Levski, as well as his relationship with the Bessarabian Bulgarians, especially with the hero of Taraclia native Olimpiy Panov.

"The Apostle of Freedom had met with supporters of the liberation cause, among whom were the Bessarabian Bulgarians. For instance, my distinguished fellow countryman, Olimpiy Panov, born in the Bessarabian village of Taraclia, then Southern Russia, was a friend and associate of Levski”, said Borimechkov. In his words, the young Panov took an oath to fight against Turkish rule and for a "pure and holy republic" in front of Levski, the strategist of the Bulgarian national liberation movement. 

He also noted that Levski's meetings with Bessarabian Bulgarians took place mostly in Romania - Bucharest, Braila, Tulcea, as well as in the enslaved Bulgarian lands. 

"Did the genius politician and ideologist of the Bulgarian national revolution visit Bessarabia? Documents of his residence beyond the Danube have not yet been found, but there are historians who believe that Levski secretly visited Bessarabian Bulgarians. Further research will show whether Levski was in my region, which I hope for very much," Borimechkov said and presented a photo-documentary exhibition about the monuments to the Apostle that have been constructed in the Moldovan towns of Chisinau, Parcani, Tvarditsa, Taraclia.

Before the discussion, a short flower laying ceremony took place in front of the monument to the revolutionary. The event was attended by the representatives of the district offices, citizens, public figures, headed by Taraclia Region Chairperson Lazar Dermenji and Bulgarian Consul in Taraclia Lyubomir Dimov.

"For us, the Bessarabian Bulgarians, especially today, it is important to be faithful followers of the work and legacy of Vasil Levski, to preserve the Bulgarian identity and to develop the Bulgarian language and culture. Only then we can preserve and survive as a nation," said Lazar Dermenji.