Deputy Head of Izmail Administration Calls Unveiling of Restored Hristo Botev Monument "Powerful and Moving Day"

Diana Dukovska, Valeria Skorich

Marina Denoy, Deputy Head of the Izmail District State Administration, at the unveiling of the restored monument to Hristo Botev, Izmail, October 30, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Kasabov)

Izmail, Ukraine,

30.10.2025 17:41

(BTA)

Marina Denoy, Deputy Head of the Izmail District State Administration, said: "Today is a powerful and moving day, the day we unveil the restored monument to a great man and freedom fighter." She addressed those gathered for the unveiling of the restored bust of the Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev (1848-1876) in front of the main building of the Izmail State University of Humanities on Thursday.

In her remarks, Denoy stressed that the event holds a deep spiritual significance for all Bessarabian Bulgarians, as well as for herself as a Bulgarian by descent, as it unites the memory of the struggle for freedom with the yearning for peace and unity.

"For us, Bessarabian Bulgarians, it is deeply significant that our guests from Bulgaria have arrived at this time, despite the difficulties and the ongoing full-scale military aggression against Ukraine," she said.

On behalf of Rodion Abashev, Chairperson of the Izmail District State Administration, Denoy thanked those who participated in restoring the monument, as well as those who preserve Bulgarian culture and traditions.

"We thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for defending the skies above us and giving us the opportunity to work, study and live,” she said.

Denoy noted that it was no coincidence that the ceremony was held on the grounds of the Izmail State University of Humanities, where teachers of the Bulgarian language are trained and cultural programmes supporting the Bulgarian community are developed.

"In our district, new Bulgarian schools have opened, Bulgarian dances are taught, and Bulgarian songs are sung. We are grateful to all who preserve these traditions and celebrate Bulgarian culture and language," said Denoy.

The bust of Hristo Botev in Izmail was unveiled on March 20, 1978 and is the first monument to the Bulgarian poet and revolutionary in modern-day Ukraine. The date of its unveiling marked the centenary of Bulgaria's Liberation from Ottoman rule. The bust was created by the Izmail sculptor Mihail Nedopak.

/RY/