Whoever saw
him just once could never forger him. He died. Yet he lives. His
radiant figure
guides us and illuminates our journey towards freedom. His immortal
image is
the most divine embodiment of the spirit and the heroism of our people,
which
fights for a free world. Innumerable are the names of those comrades –
in arms
who stunned the world with their gallantry and selfless sacrifice.
Their
teacher was Goce Delchev. Born in Kukush, he pursued his studies in the
Solon
high school, then he completed a course in military studies in the
Sofia
military school in 1894 bur he was expelled due to a rather peculiar
case
without being promoted to the rank of officer. Therefore Goce returned
to his
birth place and after a short career in teaching, he commenced his
illegal
apostolic activity.
Since then
until 24 May 1903
- a
whole period of 8 years – Goce had been an incarnation of some spirit:
no place
in Macedonia and Odryn remained without him setting foot
there. In places where Bulgarians lived he could always find secure
shelter. No
one betrayed him in spite of the reward of 500, and afterwards 1000
pounds, in
return for his head. His mission of an apostle and a revolutionary,
together
with his invincible faith gave him those fresh and level-headed
enthusiasm, the
superhuman energy, which astounded and never left him. The weariness
for him
was unfamiliar. The Turks defined him as “winged”. The most treacherous
enemy
of the organization – Dervish effendi said “Tell the fascination hero
that I
have the desire to see him and salute him: we all, from the sultan to
the last
zaptieh, are weary except for him.” His credo was his beliefs. For
their sake
he sacrificed not only his life but his thoughts, because the sole
reflection
that guided him was to serve to the liberation cause. With his
good-natured
soul, his infinite, as the watery expanse, heart he endeavored to exert
the
utmost goodness from every individual who knew him; with his passionate
speeches he inspired in the indifferent the spirit of freedom,
fraternity and
devoted heroism. He dazzled everyone with his imperishable faith – the
most
powerful of all human powers, which is apt to move mountains; he
exhilarated
everyone who worked with him. And all understood his philosophy; all
felt free
and trusting towards him; all were ready to wholeheartedly give their
soul and
blindly obey his words; all stood with firm faith on the post. Wherever
he was
benighted, he was not alone, and wherever he passed he blazed a path
for every
apostle and fighter. He created the first committees in villages, the
first
detachments, the first congresses in the towns. Despite this, his
modesty
remained unparalleled and incomparable. This quality startled everyone
even
when he was in charge of the whole Organization.
Under
constant menaces, he was always amusing, bright and cheerful, always
agile and
fearless. He accepted danger with readiness, but did not dare expose
others at
risk. Opposing all forms of chauvinism, he worked for all those
oppressed by
tyranny. And his passionate and persuasive speech made all national
animosity
disappear for the sake of a self-government Macedonia. His solemn forecasts for a
federative republic on the Balkan peninsula crushed all raging hatred. He loved, he adored the
people, and the
people saw in him its closest, favourite teacher, a friend and a son.
In the
mane of this people he lived, worked and died. And the nation in all
corners of Macedonia and Odryn dedicate numerous songs, glorifying
his sacred figure – heart-felt, sincere and enchanting.
He died.
Yet he lives. His radiant figure guides us and illuminates our journey
towards
freedom.
)
)
