In the late 1300's, Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and remained subject to the Ottoman Turks until 1878. From April to May of 1876, Bulgarians rose up, unsuccessfully, against the Turks in what is now known as the April Uprising. Although the Uprising was ultimately unsuccessful, the violent repression of the Bulgarian rebels created sympathy for the Bulgarian liberation movement across Europe and the United States. In 1877-78, the Russians came to the aid of the Bulgarians in the Russo-Turkish War, and the Bulgarians finally achieved independence. The April Uprising began in the small town of Koprivshtitsa, and Fulbright took a trip to the town to see some of the houses of the rebels.
Arriving in Koprivshtitsa
The house of the merchant where the uniforms of the rebels were made
Awesome, hand-painted detailing
Love the view!
The house of Dimcho Debelyanov, a famous Bulgarian poet who died in WWI
A statue of Dimcho's mother, awaiting his return
Tiny doorways!
The bell that rang to announce the April uprising.
Todor Kableshkov, one of the leaders of the April Uprising. After the uprising began, he sent a letter to a nearby town to let them know that things had begun. After signing the letter, he drew a cross on it with the blood of the first Turk slain in the uprising. His tombstone has a gun and knife crossed on it. I'm both frightened and fascinated by this man...
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