May 25 connects the tragic death of one of the leaders of the April Uprising with an international presentation of Bulgaria’s history, language and culture.
May 25, 1876 — Georgi Benkovski Is Killed Near Ribaritsa
On May 25, 1876, according to the new style, Georgi Benkovski was killed near the Kostina River in the Ribaritsa area. He fell victim to betrayal during the suppression of the April Uprising.
Benkovski was one of the uprising’s most charismatic leaders. He organized the famous Flying Band and became a symbol of bold revolutionary action. After the defeat, Benkovski tried to escape across the Balkan Mountains, but he was ambushed and shot.
The site near Kostina remains associated with the memory of his final hours. His story combines the image of a leader and organizer with that of a man who continued searching for a way out even after the uprising had been defeated.
May 25, 1981 — Sofia Hosts the First International Congress of Bulgarian Studies
In May 1981, Sofia hosted the First International Congress of Bulgarian Studies. The forum formed part of the scholarly attention surrounding the 1,300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state.
The congress brought together researchers working on Bulgarian history, language, literature, archaeology and culture. It presented Bulgarian studies to an international audience and turned Sofia into a meeting place for scholars from different countries.
To follow the neighboring dates, read about May 24 or continue with May 26. For more stories and places in Bulgaria, explore the Bulgaria From Above category.
