Revolutionary Georgi Izmirliev

Georgi Dimitrov Izmirliev, known as Makedoncheto, was born on 21 April 1851 in Gorna Dzhumaya into the family of Dimitar Stoitsov Izmirliev and Tona Ikonomova-Izmirlieva. His father was a small trader, and his mother descended from hajduks from the village of Berovo.

Between 1864 and 1867 he studied in Serres, then left for Constantinople, where he stayed from 1868 to 1873. He attended the Main Bulgarian School at Galatasaray and distinguished himself as a scholarship holder of the Bulgarian charitable society "Prosveshtenie" (Enlightenment). After finishing school, he remained for two years to teach in the Ottoman capital, where he was active in public life, distributing newspapers and giving talks.

In the autumn of 1873, with Nayden Gerov's support, Georgi Izmirliev entered the Military School in Odesa. He became a cadet in the 59th Lublin Infantry Regiment. In late 1875 he settled in Giurgiu and became assistant apostle, or revolutionary organiser, and military leader of the First Revolutionary District in Bulgaria, using the pseudonym "Ruseshteto".

Makedoncheto played an important role in preparing and organising the April Uprising of 1876. Together with other revolutionaries, he carried out extensive organisational work, establishing new committees and training associates in military skills.

On 26 April 1876, following betrayal and an exchange of gunfire in Gorna Oryahovitsa, Georgi Izmirliev was arrested and sentenced to death by hanging. Before the sentence was carried out on 28 May 1876, he placed the noose around his own neck with the words: "It is sweet to die for the freedom of the Fatherland!"