Hristo Botev

A revolutionary poet who died in the April Uprising.

Life

Poet in exile

Botev was the son of a teacher. While studying in Russia he encountered revolutionary ideas; he later went into exile in Romania, where he ran newspapers and wrote poetry calling on Bulgarians to rise up and overthrow Ottoman rule.

The Radetzky

After the April Uprising broke out in 1876, he led more than 200 volunteers in seizing an Austrian steamer on the Danube, the Radetzky, and landed in Bulgaria to join the fight.

Balkan Mountains

The uprising had already been crushed, and his small band fought fiercely with the Ottoman army in the Balkan Mountains. On June 2 he was shot and killed, at only 28 years of age.

Legacy

Botev's poetry is a classic of Bulgarian literature; every year at noon on June 2, sirens sound across the country in memory of him and of those who died for their country.

Major works & achievements

• Poetry collection

Did you know? The steamship Radetzky is still moored on the Danube today as a memorial ship.

Key dates

• 1867Exile in Romania (approx.)
• 1875Published a poetry collection
• 1876Hijacked a steamer to return home and fight; killed