Revolutionary Gencho Shulev

Gencho, or Georgi, Doychov Shulev was born in Koprivshtitsa, the son of a maker of coarse woollen clothing. Following his father's example, he learned the craft in his hometown, later going to Constantinople to broaden his commercial knowledge and experience. There, he established links with the Bulgarian literary centre and brought newspapers such as Свобода (Freedom) and Независимост (Independence) to Koprivshtitsa, carrying the seeds of revolution.

Shulev returned to his hometown and joined the insurgent committee after Panayot Volov's visit. He actively helped prepare the uprising, securing materials needed to make uniforms for the insurgents. Everyone in the town joined this effort, contributing whatever they could, including coarse woollen fabrics, homespun cloth and various metal vessels.

The committee's final meeting took place on the night of 18–19 April 1876, and Shulev actively participated in all the events surrounding the proclamation of the uprising. The joy of success was short-lived, however: on 10 May he was arrested, brutally tortured and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to seven years of penal servitude, but the suffering and illness he endured in exile led to his death in Alexandria.