site.btaBelgrade Occupies Special Place in Lyuben Karavelov's Life, Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia Petko Doykov Says

"We have gathered here in Belgrade to honour the immortal work of one of the greatest personalities of modern Bulgaria - Lyuben Karavelov. Belgrade occupies a special place in the history of Karavelov and his struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria," Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia Petko Doykov said on Friday at the unveiling of a memorial plaque to the Bulgarian journalist, writer and revolutionary Lyuben Karavelov.

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), together with the Bulgarian Embassy in Serbia unveiled Friday a commemorative plaque in honour of Lyuben Karavelov in the Consular Service of the Bulgarian Embassy. Karavelov (1834-1879) lived in Belgrade for a while. The Bulgarian Sunday school in the Serbian capital bears his name. 

Bulgarian Ambassador to Belgrade Petko Doykov noted that with the unveiling of this memorial plaque "we not only honour his name, but also mark the eternal significance of freedom".

"Today, standing in front of this memorial plaque, we bow to the spirit of Lyuben Karavelov and the thousands of known and unknown enlighteners, revolutionaries, patriots and dignified ancestors who gave their lives for the freedom of Bulgaria," Doykov said. "Let us remember what Karavelov wrote, his words, but also his deeds and courage. May they continue to inspire us in our time and in all the challenges we face."

The event was attended by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, BTA Secretary General Julia Sokolova, the Bulgarian Ambassador in Belgrade Petko Doykov, Angel Angelov - Head of the General Directorate for Bilateral Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Momchil Raichevski - Director of the Directorate for Southeast Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dimitar Tsanev - Consul General of Bulgaria in Nis, Milen Mitev - Director General of the Bulgarian National Radio and Chairman of the Union of Bulgarian National Electronic Media, Gospodin Yovchev - Chief Operating Officer of bTV Media Group, Hristo Hristov - Executive Director of the Bulgarian National Darik Radio, Anton Andonov - Member of the Board of the Bulgarian National Television, Zoran Djurov - President of the Municipal Council of Tsaribrod, representatives of the Bulgarian community in Serbia from Belgrade, Tsaribrod, Bosilegrad and Vojvodina.

Bulgarian musician Theodosii Spassov was also a guest at the event, performing the melody to Karavelov's poem You Are Beautiful, My Forest on the kaval, and all attendees joined in the performance of the lyrics.