Ilyo Voyvoda
Ilyo Voyvoda | |
|---|---|
Ilyo Voyvoda | |
| Nickname | Ilyo Voyvoda |
| Born | May 28, 1805 |
| Died | April 17, 1898 (aged 92) |
| Allegiance |
|
| Service years | 1862–1885 |
| Rank | Voivode (Voyvoda) |
| Conflicts | |
Iliya Markov (Bulgarian: Илия Марков, Macedonian: Илија Марков, pronounced [i'lija 'markɔf]; May 28, 1805 – April 17, 1898), known as Ilyo Voyvoda or Dedo Iljo Maleshevski, was a Bulgarian revolutionary and hajduk[1] from the region of Macedonia. He was the father-in-law of revolutionary Dimitar Popgeorgiev (1840-1907).
Early life
Iliya was born in the city of Berovo, at the time part of the Rumelia Eyalet of the Ottoman Empire (in modern eastern North Macedonia) on May 28, 1805.[2][3] His father was named Marko Popgeorgiev (Марко Попгеоргиев/Поп-Георгиев, hence Markov). Ilyo was a prominent hajduk voyvoda (commander) of cheta's (armed bands) in Maleshevo, Rila and Pirin. Later he worked as a keeper in the Rila monastery. In 1859 he moved to Belgrade. In 1862, he joined the Bulgarian Legion,[4] headquartered in Belgrade, and took part in the Serbian-Turkish War (1876–77) and Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).[3] The Ottoman authorities defined him as an outlaw, perceiving the band led by him as a threat to the state security after his band attacked the Ottoman authorities in Macedonia.[5]
Liberation of Bulgaria
Illyo fought against the Ottoman Empire for the liberation of Bulgaria.[5] During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 he operated with a band near Lovech. His band joined the Western divisions of general Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko and participated in the liberation of Sofia, Radomir and Kyustendil. Illyo was one of the Bulgarian representatives at the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano, where the liberation of Bulgaria was officially recognized.[5] It was there he was awarded a medal for bravery.[6]
Post-Liberation activity
After the Treaty of Berlin, Ilyo participated in the Rila congress on September 8, 1878, where it was decided to start an uprising in Kresna.[7] He took part in the Kresna-Razlog Uprising (1878–1879). Illyo Voivoda and his band took part in Serbo-Bulgarian War despite the advancing age of the leader. As part of the Radomir squad they participated in the battles of Breznik, Slivnitsa and Vranje among others. During the 1890s he was involved with the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization as an advisor. He died in Kyustendil in 1898.[2]
Legacy
Folk songs have honored him.[2] Some of his personal belongings are kept in the monastery of St. Archangel Michael which serves as the city museum of Berovo.[8] Bulgaria commemorates him as a national hero.[5] In the late 1970s, the house in which he lived in Kyustendil was restored, becoming a museum dedicated to the national liberation struggles in the Kyustendil region.[9] A monument dedicated to him is near the museum.[5] His grave is also located in Kyustendil.
Ilyo Point on Clarence Island, Antarctica, is named after Ilyo Voyvoda.
References
- ^ Markus Ritter; Staci G. Scheiwiller, eds. (2017). The Indigenous Lens?: Early Photography in the Near and Middle East. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. p. 243. ISBN 9783110590876.
- ^ a b c Blaže Ristovski, ed. (2009). Makedonska enciklopedija [Macedonian Encyclopedia] (in Macedonian). MANU. p. 921.
- ^ a b Mercia MacDermott (1988). For Freedom and Perfection: The Life of Yané Sandansky. London: Journeyman Press. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-85172-014-9.
- ^ Mercia MacDermott (1978). Freedom or Death: The Life of Gotsé Delchev. Journeyman Press. pp. 39, 54. ISBN 0-904526-32-1.
- ^ a b c d e Baris Cayli Messina (2021). "The Global History of Social Dissent: Deconstructing Outlaws within the Conundrum of Crime, Conflict, and Violence". Journal of Historical Sociology. 34 (3): 4–5. doi:10.1002/johs.12345.
- ^ Petrinska, M., Illyo Voivoda zhitie-bitie, Sofia, 1988, Narodna Mladezh, p. 76
- ^ Vemund Aarbakke (2003). Ethnic Rivalry and the Quest for Macedonia, 1870-1913. East European Monographs. p. 56. ISBN 9780880335270.
- ^ "Living Heritage". September 11, 2007. Archived from the original on August 14, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
- ^ "Ilyo Voyvoda house-museum keeps memory of legendary revolutionary alive". Bulgarian National Radio. April 28, 2020.
External links
- Death certificate of Ilyo Voyvoda (in Bulgarian)
- 29 January 1878 The liberation of the town of Kyustendil(in Bulgarian)
