Revolutionary Georgi Tihanek

Georgi Neshov Tihanek, born in Koprivshtitsa in 1845 and deceased there in 1915, was a Bulgarian revolutionary and well-known participant in the April Uprising of 1876. He played an important role in its preparation and execution.

Tihanek belonged to the revolutionary committee and was appointed head of its secret police, known as the committee guard. He joined the group of insurgents responsible for capturing the konak and played a key role by firing the uprising's first shell. On Kalachev Bridge, he killed the Turkish gendarme Kara Hussein.

After the uprising ended, Tihanek was captured and taken to Sofia, where he spent three months. He was then exiled to Rhodes. There, he and Nikola Belovezhdov attempted to escape but were captured and separated. Nevertheless, Tihanek managed to organise a sabotage group on the island, destroying stores of weapons, ammunition and food.

According to unconfirmed information, Count Ignatiev found Tihanek and helped him return to Koprivshtitsa in late 1879 after an amnesty was announced. Later, the Greek army invited him to join as a lieutenant, but he declined and returned to Bulgaria.

Tihanek participated in the movement to liberate Macedonia after the Congress of Berlin and formed a detachment operating in the Kumanovo region. During this period, he was wounded twice; the second wound was serious and prevented him from participating in the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising.

Georgi Neshov Tihanek died in 1915. His brother Nedyalko, or Nedelcho, Neshov Tihanov also participated in the uprising.