32-nd National March In the Footsteps of the Apostle Starts from Pleven with Record Number of Participants.

Participants gathered in front of the Vasil Levski monument in central Pleven for the start of the National In the Footsteps of the Apostle hike. This year, the initiative has attracted 282 participants from 30 communities across Bulgaria. The hikers were welcomed by the event leader, Galina Tsvetkova.

The hike is organized by the Municipal Committee and the Vasil Levski Association with the support of the Municipality of Pleven and the Kaylashka Dolina Tourist Society. Participants are divided into nine groups that will follow mountain routes through the Central Balkan Mountains and Sredna Gora over the coming days. Interest in this year's edition has reached a record high.

As tradition dictates, participants laid flowers at the monument to Vasil Levski before setting off, paying tribute to his legacy. Galina Tsvetkova read a congratulatory address from Vasil Vasilev, Chairman of the National Vasil Levski Committee, marking the 80th anniversary of the hike's founder, Vasil Kopchev.

She presented special gifts to children of participants and invited them to join future editions of the hike. Deputy Mayor of Pleven for Humanitarian Affairs Dr. Paulina Kirova also addressed the participants.

The hike will conclude on July 18 in Karlovo, Levski's hometown, where participants will be welcomed in the town square and join the celebrations marking the anniversary of the Apostle of Freedom's birth.

In a statement, Galina Tsvetkova, who also chairs the Municipal Committee and the Vasil Levski Association, said it has been a unique opportunity for her to be part of a community of kind-hearted and dedicated people for the past 20 years, describing it as one big family.