On 19 February Bulgaria pays homage to Vasil Levski. The Apostle of Freedom was hanged on 18 February 1873 in Sofia after he was betrayed and condemned to death by an Ottoman court of justice. Levski created a powerful clandestine revolutionary network aimed to plan and carry out an uprising to gain Bulgaria’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. He is Bulgaria’s most popular national hero, a legend for his valor, agility and wisdom. For years Ottoman police would dub him „cingibi” /”like a ghost”, „untouchable”/ and hunted him without success across the Bulgarian lands. The Apostle was known for his immaculate morality and athleticism. His revolutionary nickname Levski emerged due to his achievements as an athlete, and it is not for nothing that the national stadium in Sofia is named Vasil Levski. In all Bulgarian towns and cities ceremonies will be held on 19 February to commemorate the great hero. By tradition, state and government leaders gather at the monument of Vasil Levski in Sofia, where he was hanged. In the recent years there have been big crowds of citizens coming to lay flowers and pay homage at the monument and at other places related to the life and work of the great son of Bulgaria.