Konstantin Velichkov
Encyclopedia
Konstantin Velichkov was a Bulgarian writer and public figure.
.
Velichkov received his education in the Galatasaray High School in Istanbul
where he studied from 1868 to 1874. After returning to his home town he became a teacher in geography, history, French
and Bulgarian as well as chairman of the local Chitalishte
(reading club). Pretty soon he became an active member of the local revolutionary committee aiming at liberating Bulgaria
from Ottoman
domination. Together with Todor Kableshkov
he participated in the preparations for the April uprising
. After the failure of the insurgents Velichkov was arrested and sentenced to death by the Ottoman authorities. Before the sentence could take place he was let free thanks to the committee sent by European powers to investigate the Turkish atrocities during the suppression of the rebellion. Subsequently, Velichkov worked for the Bulgarian Exarchate
until 1877.
Immediately after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) that resulted in the creation of a new liberated Bulgarian state
, Velichkov returned to Pazardzhik. Soon it became obvious, though, that the Great powers had other intentions. San-Stefano Bulgaria was partitioned into several parts, some of which gained independence, others were returned to the Empire. Velichkov's home town became part of the newly formed state of Eastern Rumelia
which remained a vassal to the Sultan. He started a political career and in 1894 got to head the ministry of education. All this time Velichkov actively participated in the strive for unification between Eastern Rumelia and the Principality of Bulgaria. All efforts were rewarded in 1885 when the actual unification
took place. Meanwhile Velichkov managed to study law in France (till 1881) and later, during Stefan Stambolov
's rule in Bulgaria, painting in Florence
, Italy
. Later he taught in the Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki
and lived for a few years in Istanbul
.
Velichkov continued his political career with the People's party and was minister on a number of times as well as ambassador in Serbia
(1902-1904). He was an active member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
. Konstantin Velichkov died on his way to Grenoble
in November 1907. Two years later his remains were returned to Sofia.
Biography
He was born in the town of PazardzhikPazardzhik
Pazardzhik is a city situated along the banks of the Maritsa river, Southern Bulgaria. It is the capital of Pazardzhik Province and centre for the homonymous Pazardzhik Municipality...
.
Velichkov received his education in the Galatasaray High School in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
where he studied from 1868 to 1874. After returning to his home town he became a teacher in geography, history, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Bulgarian as well as chairman of the local Chitalishte
Chitalishte
A chitalishte is a typical Bulgarian public institution and building which fulfils several functions at once, such as a community centre, library and a theatre. It is also used as an educational institution, where people of all ages can enroll in foreign language, dance, music and other courses....
(reading club). Pretty soon he became an active member of the local revolutionary committee aiming at liberating Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
from Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
domination. Together with Todor Kableshkov
Todor Kableshkov
Todor Kableshkov was a 19th-century Bulgarian revolutionary and one of the leaders of the April Uprising....
he participated in the preparations for the April uprising
April Uprising
The April Uprising was an insurrection organised by the Bulgarians in the Ottoman Empire from April to May 1876, which indirectly resulted in the re-establishment of Bulgaria as an autonomous nation in 1878...
. After the failure of the insurgents Velichkov was arrested and sentenced to death by the Ottoman authorities. Before the sentence could take place he was let free thanks to the committee sent by European powers to investigate the Turkish atrocities during the suppression of the rebellion. Subsequently, Velichkov worked for the Bulgarian Exarchate
Bulgarian Exarchate
The Bulgarian Exarchate was the official name of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church before its autocephaly was recognized by the Ecumenical See in 1945 and the Bulgarian Patriarchate was restored in 1953....
until 1877.
Immediately after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) that resulted in the creation of a new liberated Bulgarian state
Treaty of San Stefano
The Preliminary Treaty of San Stefano was a treaty between Russia and the Ottoman Empire signed at the end of the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–78...
, Velichkov returned to Pazardzhik. Soon it became obvious, though, that the Great powers had other intentions. San-Stefano Bulgaria was partitioned into several parts, some of which gained independence, others were returned to the Empire. Velichkov's home town became part of the newly formed state of Eastern Rumelia
Eastern Rumelia
Eastern Rumelia or Eastern Roumelia was an administratively autonomous province in the Ottoman Empire and Principality of Bulgaria from 1878 to 1908. It was under full Bulgarian control from 1885 on, when it willingly united with the tributary Principality of Bulgaria after a bloodless revolution...
which remained a vassal to the Sultan. He started a political career and in 1894 got to head the ministry of education. All this time Velichkov actively participated in the strive for unification between Eastern Rumelia and the Principality of Bulgaria. All efforts were rewarded in 1885 when the actual unification
Bulgarian unification
The Unification of Bulgaria was the act of unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and the then-Ottoman province of Eastern Rumelia in the autumn of 1885. It was co-ordinated by the Bulgarian Secret Central Revolutionary Committee...
took place. Meanwhile Velichkov managed to study law in France (till 1881) and later, during Stefan Stambolov
Stefan Stambolov
Stefan Nikolov Stambolov was a Bulgarian politician, who served as Prime Minister and regent. He is considered one of the most important and popular "Founders of Modern Bulgaria", and is sometimes referred to as "the Bulgarian Bismarck".- Early years :Stambolov was born in Veliko Tarnovo...
's rule in Bulgaria, painting in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Later he taught in the Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki
Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki
The Sts. Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Men's High School of Thessaloniki was the first Bulgarian high school in Macedonia. One of the most influential Bulgarian educational centres in Macedonia and Southern Thrace, it was founded in autumn 1880 in Ottoman Thessaloniki and existed until...
and lived for a few years in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
.
Velichkov continued his political career with the People's party and was minister on a number of times as well as ambassador in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
(1902-1904). He was an active member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is the National Academy of Bulgaria, established in 1869. The Academy is autonomous and has a Society of Academicians, Correspondent Members and Foreign Members...
. Konstantin Velichkov died on his way to Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
in November 1907. Two years later his remains were returned to Sofia.