Monuments keep alive the memory of important events of the past. Most of them tell of human sacrifices, of the land drenched in the blood of heroes who defended the homeland. Chroniclers collect these historical fragments and place them in the broader context of the era. Over the years, depending on political leanings, external influences and bias, interpretations diverge from chronological cause and effect. Some facts are conveniently glossed over so as not to 'offend' certain authority figures. The monuments, however, remain faithful to the facts as inexorable witnesses. 

There are more than 400 memorials, some of which mark the places where important military actions took place, such as the memorial on Shipka Peak. Others are built on the graves of war heroes. There are also a number of monuments erected by the Bulgarian government and grateful citizens, the most striking being the monument to Russian Emperor Alexander II, popularly known as Tsar Osvoboditel ("The Liberator King"), in the heart of Sofia. It was this respect for the memory of those who died in the Russo-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878 that attracted the attention of historians Svetlana and German Shakarbiev, who were impressed by the impeccable preservation of the monuments for over 147 years.

"We couldn't believe it was possible," says German Shakarbiev in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. - We asked ourselves who these people were, the preservers of the monuments. We are amazed every time we meet them. In reality, they come from different social strata. There are pensioners, foresters, hunters, doctors, engineers, businessmen".