Source: Reneta, OLS Community Manager
Vasil Levski is one of the most significant figures in Bulgarian history.
On February 18, 2025, Bulgaria marked 152 years since his execution. In the center of the capital, Sofia, near Sofia University, stands a 13-meter monument bearing his figure. The location is not chosen without any reason - this is the exact place where Levski was executed in 1873. Every year, hundreds of people wait in line for hours to lay flowers as a sign of respect and gratitude for his deeds. No historian denies his immense contribution to Bulgaria’s national liberation movement.
Who Was Levski, and Why Is He So Important?
Born in 1837 in the town of Karlovo, Vasil Ivanov Kunchev—his full name—grew up during a period of intense struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Initially, he became a monk, but he soon realized that his true destiny was different—to dedicate his life to Bulgaria’s liberation. His nickname, "Levski," comes from the Bulgarian word for "lion" (lev), a symbol of courage and strength. According to legend, during his military training, the young Vasil Kunchev made a daring leap (a "lion’s leap") over a wide trench. This feat earned him the name "Levski," which stayed with him forever.
Levski created an internal revolutionary network aimed at preparing for an uprising by establishing secret committees across the country.
He was not just a participant in the liberation movement—he was its architect. Instead of relying on foreign aid, Levski believed that Bulgarians must prepare and carry out their own revolution. His approach was exceptionally modern for its time, building a well-organized network of committees that spanned the entire country.
Levski’s Capture and Death
His life had a tragic end. In the winter of 1872, he was betrayed and captured near the town of Lovech. Levski was taken to Sofia, where he was tried and hanged at the very spot where his monument stands today.
Levski’s Legacy
Today, Vasil Levski remains a symbol of selfless sacrifice for a cause. His vision of a "pure and sacred republic" continues to resonate and inspire generations of Bulgarians. Levski is not just a historical figure—he is an enduring example of idealism and the fight for justice.
Words of Levski That Are Remembered and Repeated Today:
"Time is in us, and we are in time—it transforms us, and we transform it."
"If I win, I win for the entire nation—if I lose, I lose only myself."
"We shall have a flag on which it will be written: ‘A Pure and Sacred Republic.’"
Reneta, OLS Community Manager – Bulgarian