site.btaPrime Minister Dimitar Glavchev Attends 148th Anniversary of April Uprising in Klisura

On Tuesday evening, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev visited Klisura, Southern Bulgaria on the occasion of 148 years since the outbreak of the April Uprising, which precipitated the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War that led to Bulgaria's liberation. In his speech, Glavchev said that Klisura is an example of pride, dignity, longing and enthusiasm, of unshakable determination against lack of freedom, oppression and injustice. 

Glavchev accepted the rank of honour of the 61st Stryamska Mechanized Brigade. Dozens of residents and guests of Klisura attended the ceremonial fireworks rehearsal on the occasion of the anniversary. 

“148 years ago, the April Uprising, although brutally suppressed, showed the whole world that Bulgaria is a land of free people and that the future country has a place in Europe,” the Prime Minister pointed out. Glavchev said that on the eve of Easter it was an extraordinary honour for him to be in Klisura with the descendants of glorious patriots. 

More than 130 participants from all over the country, including  members of the  Traditsiya [Tradition] National Association, participated in the historical reenactment of the April Uprising  in Klisura on Wednesday. It began at noon and lasted over an hour. 

In Klisura, honoring of the heroes of the uprising began just 20 years after. Historical reenactments have taken place intermittently since then. Their script is based on the memories of Hristo Popov, the head teacher of the school in the city during the uprising.

The April Uprising in Klisura lasted for six days, after the town declared its freedom on April 20 (May 1, New Style). On April 26, a 2,000-strong bashibazouk detachment (irregular soldiers of the Ottoman army) quelled the uprising, burned down the town and executed over 400 insurgents, women, children and elderly people. 

In the six days, the town managed to make 15 cherry-tree cannons (which the April Uprising is known for), and thus Klirura can be defined as the progenitor of Bulgarian artillery.