After posting some photos of the unprecedented recreation-celebration of last weekend, I am posting a bit of Bulgarian history.
As a result of the Russo-Turkish war (1877-1878) only a part of Bulgaria proclaimed independence from the Ottoman empire.
Like other Bulgarian cities and villages (Blagoevgrad, Skopje, Ohrid, Kavala) Bansko was liberated as late as the First Balkan War in 1912. It was however the first liberated city of the ones listed above.
On October 5th 1912, paramilitary units led by the famous Bulgarian revolutionary Hristo Chernopeev, attacked and overtook the Turkish administrative and military building in Bansko.
Three days later, the 27th infantry regiment led by General Stilian Kovachev, other high-rank officers and the famous Bulgarian revolunionary and poet Peyo Yavorov entered Bansko.
General Kovachev read the decree of Tsar Ferdinand declaring the Balkan War, which proclamed the independence of Bansko.
After that Peyo Yavorov delivered his famous speech about freedom. I have translated a part of it below (I hope it is close enough to the original):
"Brothers, forgive me, for not being able to express myself and say all the things, that are making me excited at the present moment. You are acquiring the most precious thing in a man's life - liberty [...]
Protect it, brothers, because it is sacred. [...] Remember those who wanted it so much and died for it...
Brothers Bulgarians, I congratulate you as citizens of the first liberated village of Bulgarian fatherland Macedonia. From today on, you like us, are equal and free people.
Congratulations to your freedom!"
The mayor's speech followed. He pronounced that Bansko became a city and at that time was the biggest Bulgarian center in the region, then he invited everyone to celebrate this memorable day.
And now, 99 years after...
On October 8th this year, for the first time, members of a newly formed citizens organisation "Future for Bansko" organised a recreation of the above historical events. There were over one hundred participants, all dressed in authentic costumes. The whole square was crowded, many people from the audience were not shy and joined the big traditional round dance when the celebration began. Both young and old citizens were dancing together under the rhythm of drums, the atmosphere was incredible.. To get a better idea of the diversity, brillance and beauty of the participants, here are a few more photos of some of them (unfortunately I can't post photos of each and every one of them but I can assure you, they were all astonishing):
Boys standing if front of a replica of the famous Bulgarian "Libery or Death" flag
The youngest participant - only three months old
An interesting fact is that married women and man put the flower on their right side, while the others carry the flower on their right.
Traditional Turkish and Bulgarian costumes
Officers on their horses
Little boy and a little girl in traditional costumes
Most female costume features [from that region] are red with varying patterns
Young Bulgarian me
Male costumes vary from one another too, but they are mainly brown or black, with a white shirt and a wide red woolen belt
I hope that event was a birth of a tradition!
*Thanks to G. Gruncharov for providing most of the photos
