Today, October 5, 2022, in the Central Foyer of the National History Museum, the "War Story" exhibition was officially opened on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the Balkan War, which began on October 5, 1912.
The National History Museum will mark 110 years of the Balkan War with "A Tale of the War".
Today, October 5, 2022, in the Central Foyer of the National History Museum, the "War Story" exhibition was officially opened on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the Balkan War, which began on October 5, 1912.
The main highlight of the exhibition are the series of cards presenting in chronological order the history of the months of the war. From the mobilization in September 1912, the victories at Lozengrad and Lüleburgas-Bunarhisar, the heavy fighting at Chataldzha and the difficult daily life of the Bulgarian soldier, to the siege and capture of the considered impregnable Edirne fortress, the postcards show a vivid and credible picture of the military actions.
The Balkan War is a memorable event in our New History, in which the Bulgarian officer and soldier showed high fighting spirit, patriotism and devotion to the ideals bequeathed by the Renaissance era for national liberation and unification of all Bulgarians. In 1912, only 34 years after the Liberation and 4 years after its proclamation as a kingdom, Bulgaria was ready to realize with military means the main foreign policy goal of all native patriots, politicians and public figures. Together with its allies from the Balkans - Serbia, Greece and Montenegro, the Bulgarian army is facing the enormous human potential of the Ottoman Empire, which still rules territories on three continents. And within less than a year - from October 1912 to May 1913, after a series of victories on the battlefields of Thrace, the Rhodopes and Macedonia, the goal was achieved. All lands west of the Medea-Enos line are exempt.
Another highlight of the "Story of the War" exhibition are works of art by the artists Lazar Yordanov and Haralampi Tachev, some of which are being shown for the first time. Lazar Yordanov was born in Macedonia, graduated from the Military School in Sofia, and later from the Art Academy. He works in the Ministry of War as an officer - military artist. He is represented in the exhibition with his painting "Bulgarian troops in front of Chataldzha" and the reproductions "Edirne, the Balkan War and the captured Turkish pasha" and "Captain Andreev's battery in front of Edirne". Haralampi Tachev was the first Bulgarian decorator, a student of Ivan Mrkvichka, author of the coat of arms of Sofia, designs for the facades and interiors of many buildings in the country, including the Alexander Nevsky Temple, the Alexander Battenberg Mausoleum, the Vrana Palace, the Synod Hall the palace, the house museum of Hristo Botev in Kalofer and others. The drawings "Attack" and "The Triumphal Arch in Plovdiv 1912-1913" presented in the exhibition are his.
In "Story of the War", the audience will be able to see various weapons and decorations that belonged to officers and soldiers of the Bulgarian army. Luger-Parabellum pistols, Smith & Wesson revolvers, short and long melee weapons, and Mannlicher rifles and carbines, with which our brave soldiers won a series of victories in 1912 and 1913. Part of the exhibition are various photographs, printed publications and objects related to the names of military leaders and individual participants in the memorable moments of the war.
Through the displayed exhibits from its holdings, the National History Museum expresses its respect and admiration for the great work of our glorious officers, non-commissioned officers, soldiers and militiamen.