The flag for the Red Water Chetna

Grandmother Tonka’s daughter Petrana Obretenova sewed the flag for the Red Water Chetta. It was formed in 1875 in connection with the preparation of a general Bulgarian uprising by the BRCC in Bucharest, headed by Hristo Botev. We know what the flag looked like from the description of Velko Abadzhiev, a Chetnik from the Red Water Chetta:

“…the banner of satin cloth , about two metres long, trimmed with gold serge as follows: on one side a rampant crowned lion, standing on its hind legs, above it the inscription ‘Liberty or Death’, below it the year 1875; on the other side ‘Karan’ (the committee name of the village)…”

The flag was preserved in the home of the Obretenovs and was brought to the ship “Radetski” by Petrana’s brother – Nikola, to lead Botev’s detachment. Nikola Obretenov remembers the handing over of the flag:

“… I took the flag out of my pouch and handed it to Botjova. He was delighted with it. The captain gave orders to the sailors to fetch a pole from those with which they measured the water, and with a few nails to nail the cloth to it. I handed the flag waving to Boteva. He called Nicholas Curuto, handed him the flag, and said to him, “I give you this flag, kiss it once, and hold it so that you may die with it-and that the enemy may not take it from your hands!”

With this flag the battles of Milin Kamak, Kamara and Yolkovitsa were fought. After the death of Nikola Simov in the battle of Milin Kamak, the commander handed over the flag to Dimitar Stefanov – the Cossack from Sliven. On 20 May, in the clash on the Kamara hill, the standard-bearer was still by Botev’s side. When the fighting subsides the Voivode orders the flag to be unhooked from the handle and the Cossack to light it on his cross.

After the fight at Rasov Dol on May 21, his traces are lost. Presumably it was buried in the ground to avoid being captured by the enemy. On Okolchitsa Peak, Hristo Botev achieves victory over death, for “He who falls fighting for freedom does not die!”