Bulgarian Woman Patriot Honoured

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7169, 17 March 1930, Page 5

Bulgarian Woman Patriot Honoured

BIG DEMONSTRATION. SOFIA'. Tie people of Bulgaria have recently accorded special honours to Mrs. Ekaterina KSaravelOva, -when 40 different societies marked the fiftieth anni-

versary of the beginning of her teaching career. The celebration was held in the largest theatre in Sofia, and was attended tby all classes, including the leaders in all branches of Bulgarian life, the King, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop and the Mayor, all being present. The programme consisted mainly of ■the reading of tributes, to Mrs. Karavelova by the delegates of organisations. At the conclusion of a long programme the woman thus honoured made an impressive address, describing the progress which her little country had made during the 50 years of her activities.

Mrs. Karavelova was born in the little town of Rousdhouk on the Danube while Bulgaria was still under the Turks, anid was one of the very few Bulgarian girls who were fortunate enough at , the time to get a high school education abroad.

Finishing school in Russia at the age of 18, she returned to Bulgaria during the year of the Russo-Turkish war, which resulted in the liberation of Bulgaria, and opened a school for children in her own home. After, two years of teaching there she married one of Bulgaria .’a boldest aud most influential statesmen and moved to the capital, Sofia, still keeping on teaching for more than 20 years, even after her husband had become Prime Minister.

She brought up a family, gave Mr. Karaveloff indispensable moral and financial aid during , the most turbulent years in. Bulgaria’s history, faced trial with him as well as imprisonment for a short time on political charges, and in spite of humiliations and dangers continued undiscouraged and without bitterness to work ardently for the progress of her people. She carried on a very extensive journalistic activity,

wrote and translated several books, founded and directed women’s societx ies, and cultural associations,. opened a girls’ school for domestic science' in Sofia, and is now the leader of the . peace movement among Bulgarian women. She has often visited foreign countries to make them acquainted with her land and people. She has many friends

in America and England, and is almost always visited by the distinguished * visitors who come here to study Bulgaria.