On January 16, 2020, Chepelare celebrated 142 years since its Liberation. On this day, 142 years ago, the people of Chepelare welcomed the Russian troops, and the long-awaited and hard-won freedom finally arrived.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Chepelare Municipality, Boran Hadzhiev, the Deputy Mayor of Chepelare Municipality, Stoyan Kuzmov, the Secretary of Chepelare Municipality, Katya Staykova, the Chairperson of the Chepelare Municipal Council, Panteley Memtsov, and the Regional Governor of Smolyan, Nedyalko Slavov.
The ceremony took place in front of the memorial plaque placed at the site where the Russian troops were welcomed in 1878. Father Apostol Arolski served a memorial prayer in memory of those who died in the war for Liberation, and wreaths and flowers were laid in front of the memorial plaque.
At 12:00, the procession headed to the monument of Captain Petko Voyvoda, where festive speeches were delivered by the Mayor of Chepelare Municipality, Boran Hadzhiev, and the Regional Governor of Smolyan, Nedyalko Slavov. Wreaths and flowers were laid by the officials and guests of the celebration, as well as by the “Rhodope Spark 1880” Community Center, Chepelare, the Children’s Complex in Chepelare, students from Vasil Dechev Secondary School, N. Y. Vaptsarov Vocational High School of Forestry and Tourism, Olympic Hopes Secondary School, and the youngest children from Chepelare Kindergarten.
