On April 20, 1876, the April Uprising broke out in Koprivshtitsa — the very uprising that, just a few years later, would put Bulgaria back on the map of Europe. 🇧🇬
The decision was made by the Giurgiu Revolutionary Committee, and the Bulgarian lands were divided into 5 revolutionary districts — the first in Tarnovo, the second in Sliven, the third in Vratsa, the fourth in Plovdiv, and the fifth in Sofia.
Preparations lasted only a few months, and that's exactly why the uprising failed on the battlefield. It broke out in full force in the Tarnovo district, led by apostle Stefan Stambolov — later to become Prime Minister of Bulgaria — and in the Plovdiv district, led by apostle Panayot Volov with his aide Georgi Benkovski.
It all began prematurely, on April 20. When an attempt was made to arrest Todor Kableshkov, the people of Koprivshtitsa rose up in arms and killed the local Ottoman official. That's when Kableshkov wrote his famous "Bloody Letter," which reached Benkovski in Panagyurishte, prompting him to declare the uprising officially begun.
Despite the crushing defeat and the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire in Batak, Perushtitsa, Klisura, and Panagyurishte, the rebels succeeded in drawing all of Europe's attention to the Bulgarian Question.
And here's what strikes me as the most remarkable part: public opinion in two nations considered irreconcilable rivals — Russia and Great Britain — rallied behind the Bulgarian cause. There was hardly a major English city at the time without a rally or gathering in support of the Bulgarians. The situation in Russia was much the same, where conservatives and liberals alike stood united in defending the oppressed.
And so the April Uprising, though a military failure, became the spark that led to Bulgaria's Liberation two years later, as a result of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878.
If you ever get the chance, take a walk along the cobblestones of Koprivshtitsa — the Revival-era houses, the bridges, and the quiet courtyards tell this story far better than any textbook ever could. 🤍 💚 ❤️
