The exhibition “The April Uprising in Bulgarian Philately” was opened at the Museum of the National Revival in Varna. It is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of one of the most significant events in Bulgarian history. The opening brought together numerous guests – members of the Varna Philatelic Society “Odesos” and their families, representatives of the Union of Reserve Officers and Sergeants (SOSZR), guests from the Regional Museum of History – Varna, researchers of Bulgarian history, collectors, and friends of philately.
The exhibition presents a rich collection of original postage stamps, first‑day covers, postcards, and rare postal issues dedicated to the heroes and events of the April Uprising. Among the most valuable exhibits is the first Bulgarian stamp series devoted to the uprising – “The Cherry Cannon” (1901), issued on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the April Epic. This series marks the beginning of the tradition of using Bulgarian postage stamps to commemorate key moments from the national liberation struggles.
The first two stamps from 1901 – printed in red and green, with denominations of 5 and 15 stotinki – were issued in a circulation of 500,000 copies each and released simultaneously throughout the country on 20 April, the date on which the uprising began. They depict the legendary cherry‑wood cannon against the rising sun – a symbol of hope, heroism, and the rebirth of the Bulgarian spirit.
Visitors can also see the first Bulgarian maximum card, on which – whether intentionally or by mistake – the stamp is placed on the front instead of the back. Another highlight is an extremely rare postcard featuring Rayna Knyaginya, also from 1901, which represents a true philatelic and historical rarity.
The exhibition also includes numerous later series that artistically and historically recount the heroism of the insurgents. Over the years, Bulgarian stamps have depicted Ivan Borimechkata, Georgi Benkovski’s Flying Detachment, the Apostles of the Uprising, the Bratsigovo rebels, the Dryanovo Monastery, Baba Tonka, Vasil Levski, Hristo Botev, and many other figures and events connected with the struggle for freedom.
A particularly impressive highlight is the 1976 series of the National Art Gallery, which transfers masterpieces of Bulgarian fine art onto postage stamps. It includes works by Dechko Uzunov, Zlatyu Boyadzhiev, Svetlin Rusev, and other renowned artists inspired by the spirit of the spring of 1876 and the Bulgarian revolutionary movement as a whole.
The exhibition is part of the national initiatives marking the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising. Celebrations are taking place across the country, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications is preparing two new postal issues. On 20 April in Koprivshtitsa, a stamp featuring Todor Kableshkov will be validated (circulation 5,400), and on 21 April at the Historical Museum in Perushtitsa, a commemorative miniature sheet titled “150 Years Since the April Uprising” will be issued (circulation 6,000).
During the opening, presentations were given by:
Nikolay Penev – Chairman of the Varna Philatelic Society “Odesos”,
Mihail Georgiev – former chairman of the society,
Mihail Petrov – member of the society,
Petar Rusev – a distinguished and well‑known philatelist, who read one of his own poems dedicated to the April Uprising.
The team of the Museum of the National Revival in Varna expresses its gratitude to Nikolay Penev for the excellent cooperation.
The exhibition “The April Uprising in Bulgarian Philately” will be on display until 2 June 2026 at the Museum of the National Revival, 21 Dr. L. Zamenhof Street, Varna.
