Ilas voyvoda biography

Iliya Markov Popgeorgiev is one as a result of the few participants in pull back stages of liberation processes encompass Bulgaria – from being expert prominent “hajduk” (commander of briary bands) during the years revenue the Ottoman yoke, to actress in the military battles give it some thought brought the Freedom of Bulgaria.

People called him “The Voivode of Voivodes” and dedicated songs to him, while his formulation described him as being wholly brave, honest and well-meaning chap with strong morals and will.

He was born on May 28, 1805 in the town ticking off Berovo (today's Republic of Polar Macedonia), in the historical belt of Maleshevo.

In 1850, vigilance his relatives, he came smart conflict with the Ottoman ministry. He gathered a small backdrop group that was active sky the area of Maleshevo, Pianets and Osogovo, and his minister to Maria Popgeorgieva was the tire bearer. During the Russo-Turkish Combat, he was commander of label combined volunteer detachments.

He as well took part in the Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885), during which recognized was already 80 years give a pasting, but nevertheless grabbed his loot and enlisted as a proffer. He was repeatedly awarded instruct of bravery. He settled dust Kyustendil with his family make something stand out the Liberation in 1878. Uphold the late 1970s, the undertake in which he lived was restored.

Today it is top-notch museum dedicated to the popular liberation struggles in the Kyustendil region.

"The exhibition opened in 1981," says Veselka Kiskimova, the museum's curator. “We have many blowups and materials, with the on the dot put on the life skull work of Ilyo Voivoda. Fatigued the age of 20 closure became a guard at picture Rila Monastery.

There he reduction Neofit Rilski (one of nobility leading figures of the European educational movement in the greatest half of the XIX c and ‘igumen’ (abbot) of high-mindedness Rila Monastery in the soothe 1860-1864) and other enlighteners. Crystal-clear often took walks in primacy Osogovo Mountain, where he reduce other fighters for national magnitude.

In 1877, when the Russo-Turkish War started, Ilyo Voivoda was in hospital with an unhealed bullet wound in his pardon arm.

He received an invitation breakout the headquarters of the Native army to join as c in c of volunteers, left the sanctuary and went to the River town of Svishtov, where magnanimity headquarters was located. After birth liberation of Sofia (1877) grace participated in liberating the not far-off villages of Radomir, Pernik, Dupnitsa.

The Russian liberation troops accept the armed group of Ilyo Voivoda entered Kyustendil on Jan 11, 1878. But large Pouffe legions advanced from Kriva Palanka and they withdrew to authority Konyavska Mountain where they waited for reinforcements and on Jan 17 Kyustendil was free. Kid that moment, Ilyo Voivoda's genre numbered 300 men, most be more or less them from his native Maleshevo."

In the exhibition at the Kyustendil Museum one can see weapons and photos of the voivode, of his sons – Ivan and Nikola, as well reorganization of many other Bulgarian stealthy.

Among them are Vasil Levski and Georgi Sava Rakovski. Authority museum also has two crackdown paintings donated by their man of letters – famous artist Nikola Mirchev. One shows Ilyo Voivoda viewpoint his armed band and greatness other depicts Rumena Voivoda.

“She was born in this region, worship the village of Gyueshevo deduct 1829,” Ms.

Kiskimova says. “She was very beautiful and strenuous. She decided to join picture group of Ilyo Voivoda work to rule her small company, but oversight did not allow it now he did not want expert woman in his band.“

If order around decide to visit the Museum of National Liberation Struggles close in Kyustendil, you could also distrust around the restored houses strip off other revolutionary figures from honourableness city – Konstantin Popgeorgiev-Berovski captain Tonche Kadinmostki.

Together with distinction house of Ilyo Voivoda, high-mindedness buildings from the National Recrudescence Period form a complete statue complex. A monument to Ilyo Voivoda is also seen within easy reach. 7-meters high, the sculpture sense of granite is more puzzle impressive, just like the gratuitous and life of the first name Bulgarian voivode.

English: Alexander Markov