SOME OF GOTSE DELCHEV’S THOUGHTS

SOME OF GOTSE DELCHEV’S THOUGHTS

We do not hate the Ottomans as a people but fight against their ruling system of government.

I understand the world solely as a field for cultural competition among nations.

Chauvinism obscures even the brightest idea.

The Macedonian people’s organization is necessary in order to destroy slavery, not to conduct trade.

An idea cannot be accepted through weapons, but through examples.

A worker is one who serves the people and not himself over the people.

There should not and cannot be a measure of sacrifice; it ends, when necessary, with both name and honour.

I do not want to start an uprising with people who will leave me at first failure; I want to be in a revolution with citizens able to withstand all difficulties and a long struggle, which due to the fierce political conditions will be our struggle.

Macedonia’s liberation lies in an internal uprising. Whoever thinks otherwise is lying to themselves and to others.

If tyranny is violence, revolution is violence against violence.

Taking tyranny from tyrants, for the purposes of the revolution has a historical justification.

We need to seek faith in the success of the struggle within ourselves and others. If that faith is absent we need to create it, if it is there we need to awaken it and kindle the fire of struggle.

The revolutionary rises in the consciousness of the people through his deeds. The rebel is not yet a revolutionary.

We are fighting for a free and independent Macedonia with broader rights for the poor population.

Macedonian culture is a necessity in order to properly develop the Macedonian revolution.

SOME BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Gotse Delchev was born on January 23, 1872, in the city Kukush. In his early years he attended Catholic school and later he enrolled in an Exarchate school. After that he enrolled in the Solun high school where he was one of the best students. There he became involved in various secret student circles and even led one. Later more Macedonian students took part in those circles and some became prominent Macedonian revolutionaries.

After finishing high school, in the second half of 1891, Gotse Delchev enrolled in the military school in Sofia. He knew that military knowledge would be needed in order to liberate Macedonia. Because Delchev registered himself a socialist at the academy he was found unsuitable to join the Bulgarian army. Unfortunately, for other reasons, 2-3 months before he finished his military studies Delchev was expelled from the academy.

He gladly accepted the expulsion because that way he could immediately leave for Macedonia and put himself in the service of the people who were preparing to fight for their liberation.

SONGS

BLACK PLAGUE STRUCK

Black plague struck, Down there in Macedonia, Down there in Demirkapia.

Who will be chosen to be a hero? To put down the plague? A hero has been found, Young Delche, a young leader, Rose in Macedonia, To put down the plague.

Black clouds formed, Down in Macedonia, Down in Demirkapia.

Are they black clouds? Or are they black rogue Ottomans? They are not black clouds, They are not rogue Ottoman, They are Detachments of insurgents, They are rebels and their leaders.

They are carrying our wounded hero, Our wounded hero - young Delche, Young Delche, our young leader.

Delche spoke to the Detachment: My faithful friends, companions, Tomorrow you will go, To our troubled country.

When you pass, Through my city Kukush, My mother will welcome you, About me she will ask:

“Where is my son, young Delche?” You will tell her: “Young Delche is engaged, To the girl Macedonia, An enslaved dark country!”

WHAT I LOVE AND VALUE

What do I love and value? A young rebel to become, To go with Iane Sandanski, Across the wide Drama Region fields, To carry a rifle, And a sharp French sword, To fight Greek spies, And our Ottoman enemies!