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Bulgaria Commemorates National Hero Vasil Levski

Risida Dimitrova, Diana Dukovska, Yoana Hristova
Bulgaria Commemorates National Hero Vasil Levski
Bulgaria Commemorates National Hero Vasil Levski
The monument to national hero Vasil Levski (1837-1873) in central Sofia is the venue of a commemorative event, February 19, 2026 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)
Sofia,  
19.02.2026 22:12
 (BTA)

The 153rd anniversary of national hero Vasil Levski's execution was commemorated across Bulgaria and around the world on February 18 and 19.

A commemorative ceremony was held at the monument to Vasil Levski (1837-1873) in Sofia on Thursday. It was attended by President Iliana Iotova, National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev, MPs, ministers and members of the public.

Members of the clergy and official guests proceeded in a liturgical procession from the Saint Sophia Church to the monument on Vasil Levski Boulevard, where a ceremony and wreath-laying took place.

Patriarch Daniil officiated a memorial service earlier on Thursday, saying that the example and legacy of Vasil Levski are needed today, at a time when Bulgarian society is experiencing new divisions and facing fresh challenges. "Each year on this day, the whole of Bulgaria bows its head and pays tribute to the heroic deed of one of its most cherished sons - Hierodeacon Ignatius, Vasil Levski, the Apostle of Bulgarian freedom," Patriarch Daniil said.

President Iliana Iotova said that "Levski believed in the creative power of the Bulgarian people, and I believe in it as well, because with that strength great goals can be achieved". She also said: "First, we need to get our confidence back in ourselves and in the state. We need to believe that we can have institutions we can trust, that will take care of us, that will preach and practice respect and trust." In her words, this is the common cause today: "A state of law and equality. A state that is fair to all Bulgarian citizens, because now it is not a question of whose side you are on, but whether you are on the side of justice."

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said in his address at the ceremony that "honouring Levski is not merely an act of historical remembrance, it is a moral compass". He also said: "We commemorate 153 years since the death of Vasil Levski, the Apostle of Freedom, who transformed his personal self-sacrifice into a national ideal. There are individuals who are born in times of fear, pressure and resignation. They refuse to accept such times as the norm. Levski was such a person."

At the end of the ceremony, those present knelt in memory of Levski, after which the Bulgarian national anthem was played. Flowers were laid at the monument on behalf of institutions and organizations and by members of the public.

Paying tribute to Vasil Levski were also caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Andrey Yankulov, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for Fair Elections Stoil Tzitzelkov, ministers of the caretaker government - Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski, Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky, Transport and Communications Minister Korman Ismailov, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Innovation and Growth Minister Irena Mladenova, Education and Science Minister Sergei Iganatov, Economy and Industry Minister Irina Shtonova, Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva, as well as Constitutional Court Judge Atanas Semov, Chief of Defence Emil Eftimov, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, MPs, diplomats, municipal councillors, military personnel, and clergy.

/DD/

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By 06:21 on 21.02.2026 Today`s news

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