A monument to Hristo Botev was built in Etropole through Bulgarian Virtues Programme
On the first day of the new school year, a bust-monument to the great Bulgarian poet, publicist and revolutionary Hristo Botev was officially unveiled in the town of Etropole. It stands in a symbolic location – in front of the school named after the national hero. The bust was erected to mark the 150th anniversary of his heroic sacrifice, with donations from Geotechmin OOD, Ellatzite-Med AD, Geostroy AD and Geotrading AD under the Bulgarian Virtues Charity Programme.
The new monument is another initiative through which the companies contribute to preserving historical memory and passing on Bulgarian values to future generations.
The idea for the monument came from the Mayor of Etropole Municipality, M.Eng. Vladimir Aleksandrov. The sculpture was created by Krasimir Angelov, while the architectural design was made by Arch. Stanislav Konstantinov. The two artists also created the monument to Vasil Levski in the town of Etropole, which was likewise funded through donations under the Bulgarian Virtues Programme.
‘It is a great honour for me to be here at the unveiling of the monument to Hristo Botev. For decades, Geotechmin, Geostroy and Geotrading, and above all Ellatzite-Med, have been supporting Etropole – not only in the social sphere, but also in culture, science and education. We demonstrate this through the Bulgarian Virtues Programme and, most importantly, through the companies’ commitment to the development of Etropole and its residents. I want to assure you once again that I will always stand by you, and that we at GEOTECHMIN GROUP will always be here to help,’ said Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov, President of Geotechmin OOD and founder of the Bulgarian Virtues Charity Programme.
Mayor Vladimir Aleksandrov did not hide his emotions, saying that 150 years ago the revolutionaries sacrificed their lives for freedom – not only for their own freedom, but also for our freedom today. ‘We should all be proud to be Bulgarians. It is our responsibility to preserve our traditions, pass them on to future generations, and help educate and inspire them. We should be prouder than ever to be one of the oldest nations in the world, a nation that gave the world an alphabet and has contributed greatly to the development of humanity,’ he emphasized.
M.Eng. Aleksandrov expressed his immense gratitude to Prof. Tzolo Voutov for his long-standing commitment to the development of the municipality and for his support for numerous projects in education, healthcare, infrastructure and culture.
‘I deeply thank him for the lasting positive impact he is making,’ the Mayor said of Prof. Voutov.
The official ceremony was also attended by Mr Boyan Botyov, a relative of the poet-revolutionary and Chairman of Hristo Botev National Foundation. ‘The great dream of Hristo Botev, one of Bulgaria’s most revered figures, was to see his homeland free. But another of his dreams, less well-known, was to be a teacher. He imparted knowledge to children, but also taught them patriotism and love of their homeland. From teaching children, Hristo Botev gradually became a teacher to the entire Bulgarian nation, imparting the most important lessons in love of freedom, love of homeland, dignity and honour,’ said Mr Botyov.
According to sculptor Krasimir Angelov, Hristo Botev is connected not only with Etropole but also with the hearts of all Bulgarians who cherish their homeland. ‘And as members of the older generation, we too must pass on to our children and future generations the love and respect that
live within us. We must remember the remarkable Bulgarians who devoted their lives to our homeland – Botev, Levski, Zahari Stoyanov, Lyuben Karavelov…’.
The artist thanked Prof. Voutov and the donor companies for their support under the Bulgarian Virtues Charity Programme. He wished the students a happy first day of school and encouraged them to pursue their dreams and to be worthy successors to Botev, Levski and all Bulgarians who devoted their lives to our homeland.
The official unveiling of the bust-monument was attended by Mrs Boryana Keremidska, Chair of Etropole Municipal Council; representatives of the donor companies from GEOTECHMIN GROUP; Mr Marin Marinov, Chair of Todor Peev Community Centre; the headteachers of the town’s schools, and many local residents.
