111 POLITICS - JUNE 2 - FREEDOM FIGHTERS - COMMEMORATION amplifi

Bulgaria Pays Homage to
Hristo Botev and All Its
Freedom Fighters


Sofia, June 2 (BTA) - On June 2, Bulgaria pays homage to revolutionary poet Hristo Botev (1848-1876) and to all of those who perished for this country's freedom and independence. Observances are held across the country and sirens sounded at noon across Bulgaria to signal 2 minutes of silence honouring the heros.

Botev is a symbol of Bulgarian insurgence against Ottoman occupation in the 19th century along with another legend - Vassil Levski. Botev was an emigre in Romania before he led an armed company across the Danube and into Bulgaria's interior, hoping to provide support for local insurgents. He was shot fatally in a battle with Ottoman forces near Okolchitsa Peak in the Vratsa section of the Balkan Range on June 1.

Thousands of Bulgarians, including National Assembly Chariman Dimiter Glavchev, gathered to commemorate the heroes around the 28 m cross at Okolchitsa where Botev died. On Thursday, President Roumen Radev spoke at a commemorative roll-call in the nearby city of Vratsa. He pointed out that very few followed Botev to that fatal battle but their sacrifice in 1876 proved the first step to Bulgaria's independence.

Parliament marked the day with a minute's silence on Friday.

GERB and the Bulgarian Socialist Party issued declarations on the occasion.

GERB wrote that "all of us owe very much to those heroes. Powerful words like honour, dignity, justice and freedom are very important for us, Bulgarians". "These words have marked the country's past, they were embroidered on its flags; men, women and children died with them on their lips, only to become part of eternity," the declaration said.

Botev's short life is frequently compared to a comet in the skies - a flash that disappears in the dark, but one that leaves a permanent memory of glory and beauty, the United Patriots said in a declaration of their own. BR/LY
/СН/