Bulgaria marks 150 years since April uprising

The exhibition “The Bloody Flame of the Bulgarian Easter of 1876,” dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, was opened at the National Military History Museum.

The opening was attended by caretaker Defence Minister of Bulgaria Atanas Zapryanov, CE Report quotes BTA.

“This year we mark 150 years since an uprising that represented the peak of the Bulgarian revolutionary spirit and the desire for national freedom,” Zapryanov said. He noted that the uprising was organized and carried out by Bulgarians without foreign intervention, describing it as the height of national spirit.

He thanked the museum team, saying the exhibition takes visitors back 150 years to a time when Bulgarians fought with banners and weapons for freedom and national pride.

Museum director Sonya Penkova said the April Uprising is considered the most powerful expression of the Bulgarian national revolution, marked by sacrifice, heroism, and widespread devastation.

She added that the museum preserves the idea of creating a museum of the Bulgarian National Revival and holds almost all flags from the April Uprising except three.

Among the key exhibits is the Karlovo flag, commissioned by revolutionary Vasil Levski, under which the uprising was declared in Panagyurishte. Other exhibits include flags from various revolutionary districts and uprisings, as well as personal weapons of key participants such as Panayot Volov, Panayot Hitov, and others.

The exhibition also highlights the strong international reaction to the 1876 uprising, including responses from foreign statesmen, scholars, and writers. Visitors can also hear personal testimonies from contemporaries.

It is part of the 110th anniversary programme of the museum and the national commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, and will remain open until the end of May.