The road to the Liberation of Bulgaria
The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 brought joy to the Bulgarians in the city but also a great tragedy. They were in the way not only of the liberating army but also of the retreating army. The Ottoman hordes flooded in blood many villages around Haskovo; the prominent patriots in the city and the district were killed or exiled. The roads were blocked, the plunder and fires had no end. Nearly the entire Muslim population left town.
After the tears of suffering came the tears of joy. The city was liberated by the Russian Army on January 19, 1878. The surviving Haskovites welcomed the military units of General Gurko and General Skobelev with great
enthusiasm. The bells of The Holy Virgin rang. Bulgarians, led by priests in gonfalons carrying icons, started on the road to Klokotnitsa village with bread and salt to welcome the units of General Gurko. “The Bulgarians approached everyone, stretched their arms and embraced our soldiers to kiss them,” a Russian officer wrote in his diary. “‘Welcome’ was heard everywhere. We entered the city most solemnly. One could feel it was not in vain we had come from afar and had done a good deed. The local Bulgarians are somewhat peculiar. They are extraordinarily lively, active, different from anywhere else.” On the next morning Haskovites met the units of General Skobelev. Also General Skobelev Senior and Gen. Kartzov passed this way. The legendary Gen. Gurko was accommodated in a handsome Revival period house on the present-day Gen. Gurko St. Restored, it symbolizes the gratitude of Haskovites to the liberators.
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| The Liberation of Haskovo from the Ottoman Yoke painting was donated by artist Georgi Lozev to the Regional Museum of History on the occasion of the 100th anniversary since the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878
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