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Exhibition sheds light on the life of the revolutionary Georgi Benkovski

The largest building of the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum "Etar" opens its doors to visitors for the first time
Photo: Etar

An exhibition of priceless artefacts from Bulgaria's history will be on show at the Etar open-air ethnographic museum near Gabrovo from March 1 to 5. Visitors will find the exposition in the largest building of the ethnographic complex, which is opening its doors to the public for the first time. The exhibition is part of the initiative "This is how we won our freedom" to celebrate Bulgaria's Liberation Day (March 3).

Among the exhibits are the marshal's baton of the Russian diplomat Count Nikolay Ignatiev; the revolver of the legendary Bulgarian teacher and revolutionary Rayna Knyaginia; the rifle of revolutionary Georgi Benkovski; The Proclamation of the April Uprising and other authentic documents that shed light on Benkovski's life before he became one of the organisers of the Bulgarian anti-Ottoman April Uprising of 1876, which was a prelude to the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, thanks to which Bulgaria was liberated. 
Rayna Knyaginia's gun.
"Benkovski's rifle was a Winchester model 1866, it was the weapon he used to confront the enormous military and administrative power of the Ottoman Empire," says Tihomir Tsurov, an expert at the cultural institution. - The revolutionary believed so passionately in Bulgarian independence that his faith was contagious, drawing thousands of people into a struggle that would have seemed doomed had it not been for his fervour and courage.
Winchester model 1866, Photo - winchesterstore.com
Georgi Benkovski is a symbol of the rebellious spirit of the Bulgarian people. Some would say that he lived in rebellious times, became one of the apostles of freedom, but did not live to see the liberation of Bulgaria. But is this really true? On the contrary, Georgi Benkovski had a vision of Bulgarian independence, he knew what he was fighting for, and this fuelled his great passion and enthusiasm".

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Radio Bulgaria History and religion    Etar exhibition Gabrovo Georgi Benkovski

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