Hajduk Kurte Bayraktar

Valko Yanchev, also known as Kurte Bayraktar, was a well-known hajduk and standard-bearer in the detachments of Dimitar Kalachliyata and Georgi Trankin, later becoming their deputy.

Born in Korten, Valko was known for his agility, strength and courage. He joined Boycho Voivode’s detachment at a young age and fought for more than ten years against those who harmed Bulgarians and caused them suffering. In 1850, Boycho Voivode was killed in a battle at Beli Buk in Hainboaz. According to some sources, this happened on a feast day in 1856 at Kosov Kamak near the Cheresha hamlets, during a battle with Turkish troops led by Zeynil Pasha of Sliven. Severely wounded, Valko managed to reach the village of Popovtsi, where he recovered from his injuries. Once well, he joined Dimitar Kalachliyata’s detachment and later the small company of Georgi Trankin.

In 1860, Valko withdrew from hajduk fighting and moved to the village of Chervena Voda. He later moved to Dakili Tash, where he was respected by the Turkish villagers. In 1867, at the invitation of the voivode Panayot Hitov, Valko moved to Wallachia and met Hitov there. His dream of travelling the old paths came true when he joined the detachment on its journey to Serbia through the Balkan Mountains, where he also met a new, younger standard-bearer: Vasil Levski.

After this period, Valko Yanchev disappears from the historical record, and researchers of his life believe that he died in Serbia.