Revolutionary Kocho Lyutata

Born in 1836 in Levunovo in the Melnik region, Kocho Lyutata had a wife, Katerina, and two children, Nikola and Mariyka. Implicated in the killing of a Turk, he was imprisoned in Thessaloniki but escaped. He joined Dyado Ilyo Voyvoda's band and fought in the Russo-Turkish War.

His own armed band protected people in the Serres, Nevrokop and Melnik regions. During the Kresna–Razlog Uprising of 1878, it attacked the Ottoman garrison, captured the Kresna inns and helped launch the revolt. He also participated in liberating numerous villages.

In 1895, he led the Second Insurgent Battalion in the Macedonian Committee's armed campaign. Earlier, in 1885, he had volunteered for the Bulgarian army during the Serbo-Bulgarian War.

Despite his age, he volunteered for the Macedonian-Adrianople Volunteer Corps during the First Balkan War in 1912.

He died after a short illness in Dupnitsa in 1918 and was buried with honours on 12 June. His life and exploits are remembered in folklore and numerous songs.