Hristo Botev

Hristo Botev (Bulgarian: Христо Ботев, also transliterated as Hristo Botyov) (6 January 1848 [O.S. 25 December 1847] – 1 June [O.S. 20 May] 1876), born Hristo Botyov Petkov (Bulgarian: Христо Ботьов Петков), was a Bulgarian poet and national revolutionary. Botev is widely considered by Bulgarians to be a symbolic historical figure and national hero.

Biography

Early years

Botev was born in Kalofer (some historians suggested that he was born in Karlovo and after several days was brought to Kalofer). His father, Botyo Petkov (1815–1869), was a teacher and one of the most significant figures of the late period of the Bulgarian National Revival towards the end of the Ottoman occupation. He had a strong influence on his son during the latter's youth.

In 1863, after completing his elementary education in Kalofer, Botev was sent by his father to a high school in Odessa. While there, he was deeply impressed by the work of the liberal Russian poets of the day. He left high school in 1865 and spent the next two years teaching in Odessa and Bessarabia. In the meantime he began creating his first poetic works and also established strong connections with the Russian and Polish revolutionary movement. His political views soon started to take shape.

PFC Botev Plovdiv

PFC Botеv Plovdiv (Bulgarian: ПФК Ботев Пловдив /bɔtɛv pɫɔvdiv/), or simply Botev, is the oldest continuously existing Bulgarian association football club. The club was founded on 12 March 1912 by a group of students in Plovdiv. Its home ground, the Hristo Botev Stadium, is located in the residential quarter of Kamenitza and currently is under construction. Therefore, home matches are played at club's training ground in Komatevo neighbourhood (capacity of 3500 spectators). The team currently competes in A Football Group, the top division of the Bulgarian football league system.

The club is named as Botev in honor of the Bulgarian national hero Hristo Botev. The club's colours are yellow and black.

The Canaries (the nickname of the club) are two-time champions of A Group and have won the Bulgarian Cup two times. Also, in the Bulgarian top championship, Botev have been vice-champion twice and have finished third on the league table ten times. As for the Bulgarian Cup tournament, the team has reached the final ten times. In the years before A Group was created, the club is a six-time champion of Plovdiv. Internationally Botev has reached the Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals once and has won the Balkans Cup once. The club is a four-time winner of the Trimontzium Cup (friendly international tournament held in Plovdiv). The club won the Interleague-86 Cup (Polish Football Association trophy).