Bulgaria Mourns Over National Hero's Death

Bulgaria is to commemorate on Thursday 142 years since a national hero was hanged close to the current center of Sofia. A monument was later built in his honor on the same spot.

Vasil Levski was a historic figure of tremendous importance for the freedom movement in Bulgaria in the late 19th century, while the country was still a part of the Ottoman Empire.

He was captured and hanged close to Sofia in 1873 but his bravery inspired the masses and eventually Bulgaria managed to secure its freedom during the Russo-Turkish War of 1878.

Often called the Apostle of Freedom, Levski fought for equal rights between Bulgarians and other subjects of the empire, but was sentenced to death and hanged during the preparations for the April Uprising of 1876.

After the revolt, Russian forces joined the Bulgarian efforts and the Third Bulgarian Kingdom was established on March 3, 1878.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and Sofia's Mayor Yordanka Fandakova will both be present at the commemoration ceremony to take place in front of the Levski monument in Sofia at 6 pm  today.

A number of Bulgarian cities including Ruse, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Lovetch and Kazanlak will also join in the mourning ceremonies. People there can participate in torchlight and wreath laying processions.

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