Payless

For the scholars of the life and work of the chronicler of the April Uprising of 1876 - Zahari Stoyanov, some basic dates, facts and events surrounding his earthly path are extremely well-known. Although born in Kotel  - in Medven - amidst the most soft and warm folds of the Balkan Mountains, hungry for reading and writing, Dzhendo Dzhedev Stoyanov - as his real birth name is, later became one of the most renown chroniclers and revolutionary of modern Bulgaria.

Shepherd in Dobrudja or apprentice in the tailoring workshop in Ruse, he was constantly looking for ways and means of their own for self-education, to get to his appointment as assistant librarian in the popular library "Zora" in Rousse. Right here, the young Zachary Stoyanov falls under the influence of ideas of the Rousse secret revolutionary committee members who were meeting behind the walls of the library. Once initiated into revolutionary action and become the ideal of national liberation in purpose and meaning of life, Zahari Stoyanov soon proved one of the organizers of the Stara Zagora Uprising of 1875. Later he was among the delegates at meeting in the area Oborishte and active participant in the countrywide prepare of the April Uprising, described by him in his most important work - "Notes on Bulgarian Uprisings".

The revolutionary ideas and activities during his stay in Rousse forever associated Zachary Stoyanov with the famous Rousse family Obretenovi that selflessly and wholeheartedly served the national ideal of liberty or death. That acquaintance with the great family of Baba Tonka Obretenova, proved fateful for Zachary Stoyanov. He connected his life with one of her daughters - Anastasia Obretenova and thus forever - until the end of his days, remained tied with the nostalgic town near the big river - the old Rustchuk, as Rousse was known then.

Therefore, with gratitude and respect, Rousse citizens payed homage and with an initiative to build a museum "Zachary Stoyanov". The special exhibition was opened on March 3, 1978, and the occasion was the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria. In fact, the house-museum of Zachary Stoyanov in Rousse is located near the family house of the family Obretenovi but was purchased after the death of his wife Anastasia. He never lived in it since he died prematurely during a visit to Paris. However, there are materials related to the life and work of the chronicler of the April uprising, and exposure to family Obretenovi family. In the musuem’s halls can be seen weapons of voyvodas (chieftains) and warriors, the sword with a concealed revolver of Stefan Karadja, sword with the signature of Rakovski, personal belongings of the Obretenovi family, numerous documents, photos, portraits. Here is exposed and the skull of Stefan Karadja that Baba Tonka maintained and stored after the death of the glorious rebel, and before whom the Rouse Revolutionary Committee swore allegiance. The museum "Zachary Stoyanov" in Rousse presents a whole gallery of prominent citizens of Rousse, whose cases have supported the creation of the Bulgarian nation.