Aleksandr Burago

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Aleksandr Petrovich Burago (Russian: Александр Петрович Бураго) was an officer of the Russian Imperial army. Serving as a captain under Joseph Vladimirovich Gourko, he commanded the force that liberated Plovdiv from the Ottoman rule on January 16, 1878. Later on Burago became a colonel. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 30, in 1883, on Madeira, and was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Saint Petersburg.

In recognition of his "excelence demonstrated in the battle ... whereupon, together with a squadron of dragoons, having crossed the Maritsa river ... entered the city, still occupied by the Turkish division ... an almost 25 times greater in numbers enemy force", Burago was awarded the Order of St. George of the 4th degree.

Citizens of Plovdiv traditionally honour captain Burago annually on January 16, the anniversary of the liberation of the city. Wreaths and floral tributes are brought to the monument to Burago in the Plovdiv City Garden. Also, a street in Plovdiv was named after captain Burago.

[edit] See also

Battle of Plovdiv

[edit] References

Plovdiv personalities (Bulgarian). Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
Plovdiv streets (Bulgarian). Retrieved on 2006-09-15. — Captain Burago street
Genov, Tsonko [1979]. “X. The last battles”, Russo-Turkish war of 1877–1878 and the heroic deed of the liberators (in Russian). Sofia: Sofia Press. Retrieved on 2006-09-15. — account of the liberation of Plovdiv
Plovdiv's Liberation from the Turkish rule (2004-01). Retrieved on 2006-09-16. — citizens of Plovdiv at the traditional annual celebration commemorating the liberation, laying wreaths at the monument to captain Burago
Holders of the St. George Order 4th degree (Russian). Retrieved on 2006-09-17. — Citation for the St. George Order award

[edit] External links

(in Russian) People, animals, alcohol — account of the liberation of Plovdiv by captain Burago's squadron and the historical origins of giving alcohol to military horses (refers to Burago by the given name "Konstantin" rather than Aleksandr).
Photo of the monument to captain Burago in Plovdiv