February 7, 2025 marked the 125th anniversary of the death of one of the most notable Bulgarian revolutionaries, who dedicated his life to the liberation of the White Sea Bulgarians – Captain Petko Voivoda (1844 – 1900).

Petko Kirkov (Karakirkov, Kiryakov), known in history as Captain Petko Voivoda, was born on December 18, 1844 in the Bulgarian village of Doganhisar, located 26 km from Dedeagach in White Sea Thrace. He became a haidutin in 1861 to avenge his murdered brother and cousin.

In 1863, in an unequal battle with 130 Bashi-Bazookas and Zaptiets, Petko Voivoda and his 8 comrades were captured and thrown into a Turkish prison, where they were tortured, but did not confess anything. On the way from Thessaloniki to Drama, they managed to escape.

In 1864, Captain Petko Voivoda already had a new detachment. Vali Pasha of Edirne, greatly disturbed, sent Osman Aga against the detachment. Although he outnumbered the outlaws 20 times in manpower, Osman was beaten and disgraced by Petko Voivoda. Successful battles with the Turks followed in the Karlak and Shapkana mountains, in the vicinity of Gyumyurdzhina.

In the autumn of 1864, the Bulgarian voivode, recruited by the Greeks to fight against Turkey, left the Aegean Sea and arrived in Athens. Here he became a student at the Military School. He undertook a revolutionary agitation tour in Macedonia, after which he left for Italy.