Skopje, 31 August 2025 (MIA) — To mark the 120th death anniversary of the Macedonian revolutionary Aleksandar Turundzhev, a monument to the national hero and freedom fighter was unveiled Saturday evening at Bitola's At Pazar.

Bitola Mayor Toni Konjanovski unveiled the monument together with the Turundzhev family descendants in front of a large audience of local residents and visitors. 

"On the day of his death, Aug. 30, exactly 120 years later, Bitola has corrected its eternal duty and presented a monument to Aleksandar Turundzhev," Mayor Konjanovski is quoted as saying in a Municipality of Bitola social media post.

The ceremony was preceded by a procession through the streets of Bitola, from Gjorgji Sugarev Elementary where Turundzhev had been imprisoned, through Magnolia Square along the Dragor River to At Pazar where he was hanged and where his memorial was raised.

Participants included Ilinden Cultural Association members, who carried Macedonian flags, and the Kosturska Cheta team of equestrians, who led the procession. 

The music band Ljubojna as well as bag pipe players and drummers from Bitola's Goce Delchev Military Academy performed at the event.

Macedonian opera singer and Turundzhev's great-granddaughter Suzana Turundzhieva sang the Macedonian anthem. Opera singer Igor Durlovski performed his new song dedicated to Turundzhev, "Aleksandar Turundzhe Was Born Doomed."

Earlier Sunday, a memorial service was held at Turundzhev's tomb in Bitola's St. Sunday Church. Attendees included Mayor Konjanovski as well as local government representatives and members of the public.

The Macedonian revolutionary Aleksandar Turundzhev was betrayed by a compatriot for 150 gold coins, after which the Turkish authorities hanged him at Bitola's At Pazar on Aug. 30, 1905.

He is remembered for being betrayed, which often happened in the course of Macedonian history, but even more so for taking part in the Macedonian people's heroic fight for freedom. mr/