The Monument of Freedom (known as the Monument of Shipka) represents a structure standing at St. Nicholas peak in the Balkan Range. In the summer of 1877 this place was the scene of the Shipka battle, one of the clashes that were decisive for the outcome of the Russo-Turkish War for the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The monument is an integral part of the Shipka–Bouzloudzha Museum Park.
Every year in August, thousands of patriotic Bulgarians flock to this revered place to commemorate the feat of the heroes who fought and died for the freedom of the Motherland. Reenactments of the events in 1877 which have been organized since 2006 by the Traditsiya (Tradition) National Association attract about 250 participants every year. This year, especially for the event, the Ministry of Defense has provided tents for the people of Traditsiya who will be camping near the command center of Gen. Stoletov and will have access to the military field kitchen.
„Back in August 1877, the peak where the Monument of Freedom stands today was the scene of fierce battles. The defense of the peak hung by a thread. This maybe determined the outcome of the entire war,” Dr. Chavdar Angelov, director of the Shipka–Bouzloudzha Museum Park said.
“This year the reenactment of the battles from 25 August will take place at the original site of the command point of Gen. Stoletov, at the historic Shipka peak where on 11 August (under the Julian calendar) 1877, the fiercest and most decisive battles for the defense of Shipka Pass took place. Yes, we will present a show, but what we pursue is the authenticity of the event. Hopefully, the visitors will remember a few key moments from those historic events that eventually led to the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. One reason to hold the reenactment at the historic peak of Shipka is because 141 ago the cavalry of Gen. Radetzky came from here. Therefore the troops will be deployed where they actually stood. We made efforts to clean up the plot where the battles took place as it was overgrown with grass, weeds and bushes.”
More than 25,000 are expected to arrive for the national celebrations of the 141st anniversary of the Shipka Campaign. It will be held under the patronage of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and with the participation of the National Guard.
The program started on 2 August with the opening of the exhibition “The unforgettable Bulgarian volunteers”. It features processed original photos of volunteers in the war collected from museums from across Bulgaria. „They are impressive with that volunteers in them were photographed at a very old age, in the early 20 c. But pictures still convey the relentless spirit of those heroic people, the Bulgarian Knights of Freedom”, says Dir., Chavdar Angelov.
„Viewers can see the images of some of the key protagonists in the Russo-Turkish War – starting with the Grand Duke Nikolay Nikolaevich of Russia, Russian generals Stoletov, Radetzky, Totleben, Skobelev and Gurko as well as some of the commanders of the Bulgarian volunteer units. This exhibition is remarkable. And part of the photos has been colored which works to strengthen the impression. At the opening in Kazanlak the audience was quite appreciative. In fact the celebrations on 25 August also mark the beginnings of a very important institution, the Bulgarian Army, which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. At the core of the Bulgarian Army were the Bulgarian volunteers in the Russo-Turkish War. Some of them showed great valor in the battle near Slivnitsa, Western Bulgaria, during the Serbo-Bulgarian War of 1885. They also joined the Balkan wars and the First World War. This place is of great importance to Bulgaria and it lays the beginnings of many victorious campaigns after the great Shipka one.”
English Daniela Konstantinova
Photos: BTA, library
