Revolutionary Kolyo Radev-Cherkeza

Kolyo Radev Rachev, known as Cherkeza (the Circassian), was a Bulgarian revolutionary and member of Botev's detachment. He was born in 1850 in Byala Cherkva in the Tarnovo district. He was a pupil of the revolutionary Bacho Kiro and, with his brothers Todor and Petko Radev, served in Bacho Kiro's detachment during the April Uprising.

After his brothers died in the Battle of Dryanovo Monastery, Kolyo Radev Rachev developed an active revolutionary career. He joined Botev's detachment and participated in all its battles along the route from Kozloduy to Okolchitsa Peak. After the detachment was defeated, Kolyo Radev and his fellow villager Dimitar Genchev-Micho continued the struggle, exchanging fire with a Turkish pursuit force. His friend died in this engagement.

After the struggle for Bulgaria's liberation, Kolyo Radev Rachev also volunteered in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. In his later years he worked in various occupations and remained active in revolutionary public activities in his native town.

Kolyo Radev Rachev, known as Cherkeza, died on 7 June 1927 in Veliko Tarnovo and was buried in the churchyard of the parish Church of Saint Paraskeva in Byala Slatina. A street in the town bears his name, and his family line continues to live in his native municipality.