Hundreds Gather at Okolchitsa Peak to Honour Hristo Botev and Bulgaria's Freedom Fighters

The gathering at Okolchitsa, Balkan Range, June 2, 2026 (BTA Photo/Lyubomira Filipova)

Okolchitsa Peak, Balkan Range,

02.06.2026 17:38

(BTA)

Hundreds of people from across Bulgaria climbed Okolchitsa Peak in the Western Balkan Range on Tuesday despite rainy weather to pay tribute to revolutionary Hristo Botev, the members of his detachment and the thousands who died for Bulgaria’s freedom and independence. The annual commemoration began with a historical reenactment of the detachment’s final battle and Botev’s death, presented by the National Association Edinenie.

The national hiking march from Kozloduy to Okolchitsa also concluded, with its leader Evgeni Filipov reporting its successful completion to Vratsa Mayor Kalin Kamenov.

Addressing the gathering, Kamenov recalled the emotional welcome given to the hikers the previous day by 450 kindergarten children from Vratsa. "They were 5 and 6 years old, waving flags and singing songs. They gave courage and inspiration to the hikers, and some of them were moved to tears," he said.

Over 1,800 people from 43 settlements across the country took part in the Kozloduy-Okolchitsa trek.

Vratsa Municipal Council Chair Vladimir Hristov also spoke at the ceremony, describing Botev as not only a Bulgarian symbol of freedom but also a figure of European significance, comparing him to 19th-century revolutionary leaders such as Lajos Kossuth and Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The commemoration included a prayer service led by Vratsa Metropolitan Grigoriy and local clergy, followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers at the monument and chapel beneath the peak. Among those attending were members of parliament, Bulgarian News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev, Japan’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Chikahisa Sumi, regional and local officials, military representatives and guests from the French town of Villeneuve-le-Roi, twinned with Vratsa. At exactly noon, air raid sirens sounded across the country, prompting those gathered before the monument to stand in silence in memory of Botev and all who died for Bulgaria's freedom.

/NF/