A bust of Bulgarian revolutionary and freedom fighter Vasil Levski will be donated to the Bolhrad Municipality in Ukraine, officials announced on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Policies for Bulgarians Abroad. The institution the National Movement “Father’s Hearth”, chaired by Ivaylo Shopski, presented the proposal, and MP Boyko Mladenov confirmed the arrangement with BTA.
The initiative is part of an official delegation’s itinerary that will depart for Moldova and Ukraine on Friday, November 6, in celebration of the Day of the National Awakeners. The programme includes meetings with representatives of the Bulgarian communities in Chisinau and Comrat, as well as the unveiling of the monument to Vasil Levski in Bolhrad.
Shopski told BTA that the delegation will also visit the Bolhrad High School, where the bust will be installed, and will conduct a ceremony to hand over the monument. He expressed hope that the donation would strengthen cultural ties and honour the shared values of freedom and self‑determination embraced by both Bulgaria and Ukraine.
According to the BTA report, the Donating gesture follows the Bulgarian authorities’ recent emphasis on bolstering relationships with Bulgarian diaspora communities in the region. The envoy’s visit aims to reinforce friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as well as to promote historic memory and mutual goodwill.
The bust’s unveiling ceremony has been scheduled for the weekend in Bolhrad, with Bulgarian and Ukrainian officials expected to attend. Sources say that the monument will be placed in front of a municipal building, symbolising the desire for solidarity and remembrance between the peoples.
Discussions also covered collaborative efforts on cultural heritage projects, with emphasis on maintaining and restoring monuments that reflect the heritage of both nations. The visitors will meet with local leaders and diaspora representatives to discuss future possibilities for joint events and educational exchanges.
While the BTA report focuses on the official aspects of the donation, it does not detail the artist or the sculpting process behind the bust. The piece is described simply as a tribute to the Revolutionary Vasil Levski, aiming to inspire the local community and preserve the memory of the national symbol for future generations.
Earlier this month, the Bulgarian Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bulgarian communities abroad and to maintaining cultural links across borders. This donation is part of that broader diplomatic and cultural strategy, reinforcing the idea that shared historical figures can unite peoples through remembrance and honour.
