Burgas will commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the death of the Apostle of Freedom on February 18 with a ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers at the Vasil Levski monument in the Sea Garden, followed by the traditional student torch procession.
The Date of Death: Historical Truth
The decision to hold the commemoration on February 18 is based on the historical truth regarding the date of Levski's execution. According to historical sources, his sentence was carried out on February 6, 1873, according to the old calendar, which corresponds to February 18 according to the new calendar. When Bulgaria transitioned from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1916, the correct calendar correction for events occurring before March 1, 1900, was 12 days, not 13. It was the incorrect addition of 13 days over the years that led to the establishment of the date as February 19. Historical accuracy, however, confirms that the Apostle's death occurred on February 18.
Commemoration Program
- 11:00 AM – Memorial prayer at the Vasil Levski monument in the Sea Garden, conducted by His Beatitude Metropolitan Arseniy of Silivri and the Burgas clergy.
- 11:30 AM – Military ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers, featuring representative military units from the Burgas Garrison.
- 6:30 PM – Grand torch procession along the route: "Aleksandrovska" Street → "Bogoridi" Street → Vasil Levski monument.
Participation of Students and Educators
Over 600 students from 21 Burgas schools and 250 teachers and educators from 35 kindergartens will take part in the procession. The event is a tribute of respect and gratitude to the legacy and self-sacrifice of the Apostle, who remains a moral guide and symbol of national dignity.
Important: Weather Conditions
If weather conditions worsen, the torch procession may be cancelled!
Honor to Historical Truth
By organizing the commemoration on February 18, Burgas pays tribute to historical truth and to the immortal heroism of one of the brightest figures in Bulgarian history—Vasil Levski.