Tulcea honors Bulgarian hero Stefan Karadzha with memorial

Tulcea has embraced its historical ties with Bulgaria by honoring the national hero Stefan Karadzha with a new memorial. The bust, a collaborative effort between the Municipality of Tulcea and the Embassy of Bulgaria in Romania, reflects the rich shared history and the enduring bond between the two nations.

The ceremony took place at the Municipality of Tulcea, where Ambassador Radko Vlaykov received the key to the city from Mayor Ștefan Ilie. Vlaykov expressed his deep connection to Tulcea, stating he feels at home in the city where Karadzha lived from 1854 to 1862.

During the event, Mayor Ștefan Ilie unveiled the memorial dedicated to the significant figure of the Bulgarian national liberation movement. The bust, crafted by Bulgarian sculptors Georgi Petkov Radulov and Daniel Kanchev Ivanov, stands in the park of Saint George, a site known for its rich cultural heritage.

The ceremony also featured a delegation that included mayors from Bulgarian cities and representatives from Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mihail Radic, a director in the Ministry, highlighted the importance of cultivating the memory of their common history and the ongoing fruitful cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria, especially in the current geopolitical context.

Ambassador Brândușa Ioana Predescu of Romania in Bulgaria noted the significance of bilateral relations built by local authorities and announced plans for a monument to Mihai Eminescu in Bulgaria.

The memorial to Stefan Karadzha symbolizes not only a tribute to a hero but also the shared past that has shaped both nations. Aurel Stănică, representing ICEM, shared his findings of unique documents from Ottoman archives regarding the Bulgarian community in Tulcea, emphasizing the city’s historical importance in the revival of the Bulgarian people.

As the Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe prepares to celebrate its 170th anniversary next year, the memory of Stefan Karadzha continues to resonate, reminding us of the enduring ties between Romania and Bulgaria.