Hristo Botev -January 6, 1848 – June 2, 1876, was a Bulgarian poet and national revolutionary. Botev is widely considered by Bulgarians to be a symbolic historical figure and national hero. Botev was born in Kalofer. His father, Botyo Petkov (1815–1869), was a teacher and one of the most significant figures of the late period of the Bulgarian National Revival towards the end of the Ottoman rule. He had a strong influence on his son during the latter's youth.In 1863, after completing his elementary education in Kalofer, Botev was sent by his father to a high school in Odessa. While there, he was deeply impressed by the work of the liberal Russian poets of the day.

• Hadzhi Dimitar• He's alive, he's alive! There on the Balkan Mountain• Drowning in his blood, groaning• A hero lies with a deep wound in his chest• A hero in his youth, in his prime.• His rifle's cast to one side• His broken sword to the other;• His eyes dim - his head reels• As his mouth curses the universe!• The hero lies, while in the sky• The angry sun bakes down;• A harvest girl sings in far-off field• And his blood flows more quickly now!• It's harvest time ... so sing, you slave girls• Sing your sad songs! And you, sun -• Shine on that slavish land! This hero• Will perish too ... but be quiet, my heart!• He, who falls in freedom's fight• Dies not - he's mourned• By earth and sky, Nature and beast,• And singers remember him in song...• By day a mother eagle lends him shade• And a wolf meekly licks his wound,• While on high a falcon - heroic bird -• Keeps watch over her brother hero!• Evening comes - the moon rises• Stars flood the vaulted sky;• The woods rustle, the wind blows -• The Balkan sings a rebel song!• And wood nymphs in white array• Lovely, beautiful, take up the song -• Softly treading the verdant grass• 'Till they reach the hero and sit down.• One binds his wound with herbs• Another splashes him with water• A third hastens to kiss his mouth• As he gazes at her - lovely, smiling.• "Tell me, sister, where is – the leader?• And where is my loyal band?• Tell me - then take my soul -• I want to die here, sister!" They clap their hands, then embrace• And soar into the heavens, singing;• They fly and sing until the dawn• Seeking the spirit of the leader...

• But it's already dawn! And on the Balkan• The hero lies, his blood flowing - While the wolf licks his vicious wound,• And the sun bakes on ... and on!

The Work

•The ballad Hadji Dimitar was was written about a particular historical person – Botev. The idea is Botev’s heroic death and his striving for brave death. This work combines the personal with the historical, entering among them universal signs and symbols of death.