The history of Ruse is filled with inspiring women who have defied societal norms and stood up against injustice and dogmas that discriminate against women. They have shaped the world through their determination, intelligence, and perseverance. They have changed politics, science, human rights, and culture, leaving a lasting impact on society, and proving that courage and leadership are not limited by gender.
On March 8, we recall the greatness of eight women who changed Ruse and Bulgaria.
Baba Tonka Obretenova – “The Mother of All Rebels”
Baba Tonka - a symbol of the Bulgarian Liberation from when the Ottomans ruled and is also an emblem of female power. She was born in 1812 in the village of Cherven, Ruse Region, and died in 1893 in Ruse. She had seven children, whom she raised in a spirit of patriotism and freedom, all of whom actively participated in the struggle for national independence.
Her house became a refuge for revolutionaries and a place for the Ruse Revolutionary Committee meetings. In early 1876, it also became a military headquarters, from where instructions and weapons were sent. Baba Tonka herself, together with her daughter, carried weapons across the Danube. She was called the "Mother of the Rebels" by both Bulgarians and Turks.
After the death of Stefan Karadzha, so that the voivode's grave would not remain nameless, she secretly took his skull and kept it. Today, the skull is kept in the House-Museum "Baba Tonka" which is located in the home of her son Nikola Obretenov. After the Liberation, the government granted her a pension for her services to the Fatherland, but Tonka Obretenova donated it to the purchase of textbooks for poor students.
Ekaterina Karavelova – Founder of the Bulgarian Women’s Union
Ekaterina Karavelova was born in Ruse on October 21, 1860. She graduated with a gold medal from the Girls' High School in Moscow, and after her return to Ruse, she was appointed head teacher of the girls' classes, which were then housed in the Boys' High School.
In Ruse, she met Petko Karavelov, brother of the famous writer Lyuben Karavelov, and married him. In 1880, Petko Karavelov was elected Prime Minister, and the family settled in Sofia. Ekaterina became her husband's secretary and translator. Throughout her life, Karavelova was a tireless defender of human rights. For nearly 25 years, she was the chairwoman of the Sofia Women's Society “Mother” and the Girls Vocational School “Maria Luisa” created under it. In addition, she founded and led the Union of Bulgarian Women Writers. Ekaterina Karavelova was also a founder of the Bulgarian Women's Union, chairwoman of the Bulgarian Section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and one of the founders of the Committee for the Protection of Jews. She died in 1947 in Sofia at the age of 87.
Dimitrana Ivanova – a leader in the fight for women's equality with men
One of the pioneers in the fight for women’s equality with men was Dimitrana Ivanova from Ruse, a student of Ekaterina Karavelova. Dimitrana Ivanova was born on February 1, 1881 in Ruse. At 16, she went to Zurich, Switzerland, where she studied philosophy and pedagogy. In the 1906/1907 school year, she began working as a teacher at the Ruse Girls High School, where she taught logic, ethics, psychology, history, German, and calligraphy and managed the teacher's library.
In 1908, she became a member of the Ruse “Dobrodetel” society, whose mission was the enlightenment and cultural elevation of women. Between 1926 and 1944, she was the chairwoman of the Bulgarian Women’s Union.
A mother of three children, Dimitrana Ivanova, was actively involved in family issues and social protection of motherhood and childhood. Already in 1917-1918, she became a member of the Society for Combating Child Delinquency, and in 1925, she was among the founders of the "Society for the Protection of Children", whose board of directors she headed until 1935. She collaborated with almost all Sofia newspapers and some regional publications, writing on topics related to the life and future of women.
Another main issue that Dimitrana Ivanova worked on was the right of women lawyers to practice as lawyers and judges. During her leadership, in 1937, married women, divorcees, and widows over 21 were granted the right to vote in municipal elections, although they could not yet be elected.
She participated in the bills on property relations drafted between spouses, initiated changes to the Social Security Act, and was a member of the Bulgarian National Peace Committee. Dimitrana Ivanova died on May 29, 1960, in Sofia.
Anna Winter – created the country's first German school in Ruse
In September 1883, teacher Anna Winter created the German school in Ruse, the first of its kind in Bulgaria. The teacher was the sister of Edward Winter - the first chief engineer of the city. In the second half of the 19th century, Ruse became the most significant commercial, economic, and cultural center in the Bulgarian section of the Danube. The city began to attract a German-speaking population, mainly engaged in trade. That created the need for a school for the children of the German colony.
In the beginning, there was a kindergarten and primary school, and later, courses in accounting and business correspondence were created. The educational institution gained popularity, and Bulgarian students also began to enroll. Today, it is known among Ruse residents as the Deutsche Schule and was succeeded by the SUPNE "Friedrich Schiller". The school is included in the Sprachdiplom der KMK system - German language diploma (level C1) of the Council of Ministers of Culture of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mariyka Popova - The first professional actress in Bulgaria
Mariyka Ivanova Popova was born in 1866 in Ruse. She completed her primary education in her hometown, after which she left with her parents for Plovdiv. In 1883, after the founding of the Rumelia Theater Troupe, Popova was invited as a regular member. She debuted in the play "The Slavery of Men", but in 1885 the troupe ceased its activities. In 1888, Popova entered the "Osnova" theater and later joined the Drama Department of the Sofia Drama and Opera Company at the "Tear and Laughter" theater. Her career ended at the National Theater. Today, Ruse continues its rich theatrical traditions with the exceptional cast and impressive productions of the Drama Theater "Sava Ognyanov", which is the winner of numerous national and international awards.
Mimi Balkanska – co-founder and director of the Sofia Art Opera Theatre
Bulgarian operetta and opera singer Mimi Balkanska was born in Ruse on July 23, 1902. Her parents named her Ruska, but when she started school, her father renamed her Mimi. She is the granddaughter of Nikola Balkanski, cousin and associate of Georgi Stoykov Rakovski. She has been playing the piano in her home since childhood. After her father’s death, the family moved to Sofia in 1912. At 17, Mimi Balkanska began singing at the Renaissance Operetta Theatre. She specialized in singing in Berlin and Vienna. From 1938 to 1942, she was a leading actress at the Odeon Theatre. She was co-founder, director, and director of the Sofia Art Opera Theatre (1942 – 1946). In 1947, worked at the National Operetta, and from 1948 to 1963 – at the State Musical Theatre in Sofia. Among the musical audience, she remains one of the most popular operetta artists in Bulgaria.
In addition to music, Balkanska is also involved in sports, becoming the first Bulgarian to seriously train in football. She plays for Slavia (Sofia), participates in matches as a goalkeeper in teams of singers against artists, forms her team, and is even a side referee at a charity match.
Today, the Ruse Opera glorifies the city with its magnificent performances and talented artists. It ranks among the leading musical institutions in Bulgaria and is the pride of every Ruse resident. Ruse Opera combines tradition and modernity and attracts audiences from all over the country.
Maria Kalisz (Katerina, Ekaterina) – Kaliopa
In the middle of the 19th century, the young and beautiful Maria Kalisz, wife of the Prussian consul Maurice Kalisz, known to some as Ekaterina, arrived in Ruse. Fragile but brave, she quickly captivated the locals with her beauty, and everyone began to call her Kaliopa.
At that time, Midhat Pasha became the governor of the Ruse Vilayet. Legend has it that he fell in love with the married Kaliopa and decided to give her a house. To fulfill his intention, he organized a shooting competition for the wives of the consuls, announcing that the prize was a house on the banks of the Danube. Out of seven participants, only Kaliopa managed to hit a pigeon. Legend says that the rifles of her rivals were loaded with blank cartridges to ensure Kaliopa's victory.
After leaving Ruse with her husband, Kaliopa sometimes returned to manage her home. And when Midhat Pasha became the Grand Vizier and left the city, she stayed to live in Ruse. According to legend, the next governor of the city decided that he would inherit not only Midhat Pasha's position but also Calliope. However, she rejected him and one morning was found strangled. This is one of the many versions of the legend, but in all of them, the forbidden love between Calliope and Midhat Pasha comes to life. Today, the house has been transformed into the only Museum of Urban Lifestyle in the country.
Magdalina Tsarichinska - the first female school principal in the country
The young teacher Magdalina Tsarichinska arrived in Ruse in September 1874 and began teaching at the Girls' Mutual School. Later, she headed the management of the educational institution and became the first female school principal in the country. On March 20, 1898, the school was renamed the Ruse City Girls' High School "Princess Evdokia", and on May 14, 1909, the new construction began. The high school has the name "Baba Tonka" since July 10, 1922. It is located in the old center of Ruse and is an attractive place for tourists.
Tsarichinska actively participated in the city's public life. She was elected to the leadership of the women's society "Stupan", gave speeches, and collected aid for poor children. She paid special attention to women's society and its responsibility to educate girls. In 1876, in Ruse, Magdalina met her future husband, Mikhalaki Georgiev. On the eve of the Liberation War, she left the city and went to Ploiesti, where she attended the consecration of the Samara flag and even pinned the cloth to the handle.
After the war, Magdalina settled in Sofia and became a true fashion icon because coming from aristocratic Ruse, she was the only one who wore a kalpače instead of a headscarf. She died in 1945 at the age of 87.
The women of Ruse still demonstrate strength, intelligence, and spirituality today. They challenge the impossible, overcome barriers, and continue to inspire future generations. They shape history every day, and thanks to them, the world becomes fairer, stronger, and more beautiful.
