'Sliven' () is a town in southeast
Bulgaria and the administrative centre of
Sliven Province. It is a relatively large town with 110,000 inhabitants (the 8th largest in Bulgaria). Sliven is famous for its Bulgarian
Haiduts who fought against the
Ottoman Turks in the
19th century and is known as the "City of the 100
Voyvodi", a Voyvoda being a leader of Haiduts. The current mayor of the city is former football star
Yordan Letchkov.
The famous rocky
massif Sinite Kamani (Сините камъни, "The Blue Rocks") and the associated national park, the fresh air and the mineral springs offer diverse opportunities for leisure and tourism.
Another point of interest and symbol of the city, as featured on the coat of arms, is the thousand-year-old Stariya Briast (Старият Бряст, "The Old Elm"), a large
Smooth-leaved Elm in the center of the city. During the time of the Ottoman Occupation, Turkish officials would hang Bulgarian revolutionaries on the tree. In modern times, the city is doing its best to keep the tree alive with the addition of cement to the base.
Sliven Peak on
Livingston Island in the
South Shetland Islands,
Antarctica is named for Sliven.
Geography and Climate
Sliven is located 300km west of Bulgaria's capital
Sofia, 110km from
Burgas, the country's largest commercial port, 130km from the border with
Greece and 130km from the border with
Turkey. It is located in close proximity to the cities of
Yambol and
Nova Zagora.
West of the city lies the so called Peach Valley which contains large
peach orchards. The city is also known for its mineral baths whose water is used to treat diseases of the liver and nervous system.
The most visited geographical location and attraction in the city is the Karandila (Карандила). It is a hilltop 1050m above sealevel, with great sights overlooking the city. On the Karandila is the rock formation Hulkata (Хaлката, "The Ring"). It is a rock protrusion with an interesting, yet peculiar hole in the center. According to myth, one would change gender upon passing through the ring.
History
Remains of the oldest settlements on the territory of Sliven date back to around 6000 B.C.E of the neolithic. Ruins of a
Thracian settlement dating to around 5th–3rd century B.C.E as well as
Thracian ceramics and
Hellenistic coins have been discovered in the area of Hisarlaka — a small hill in Sliven. The area occupied by present-day Sliven has in the past been settled by the
Thracian tribes Asti, Kabileti and Seleti. These tribes held their independence until time of
Philip II of Macedon and
Alexander the Great who conquered them.
The second century B.C.E. marked the beginning of the Roman conquests of northeastern
Thracia. Sliven became part of the
Roman Empire around 71–72 B.C.E. when the
Thracian cities of
Kabile and
Apolonia are conquered. With the emergence of the
Roman Empire the region of the city became part of the
Thracian province of the
Roman Empire.
A new stage in the city's history began around 2nd–4th century B.C.E. The first written records of the settlement's name, Tuida/Suida/Tsuida date to this period. This name is most likely of
Thracian origin. Its etymology is currently not understood.
In more modern times, Sliven became one of the most significant cultural centres during the Bulgarian National Revival, with much of its old heritage still preserved and enriched its heritage and today offers to its citizens and visitors a lot of opportunities for cultural life. It served as the birthplace of many prominent Bulgarians who contributed to the enlightenment such as
Julia Kristeva,
Hadzhi Dimitar,
Dobri Chintulov,
Evgeniy Chapkanov,
Ivan Siliminski and many others. Another notable native is
Anton Pann who composed the
Romanian national anthem.
Economy
The economy of Sliven has centered around industry since the early 19th century. In 1834,
Dobri Zhelyazkov established the first factory in Bulgarian lands, thus starting industrial development in Bulgaria. Sliven was one of the largest industrial centers in Bulgaria, playing an important role during the
Bulgarian National Revival. It has long-lived traditions in textiles, machine-building, glass-making, chemical production, and the technical аnd food industries.
Following the beginning of communist rule in Bulgaria in 1944, most industries were nationalized and much industrial building and development was spurred. Industry continued to develop until the fall of communism, at which point much of the previously built industry stagnated; many plants and factories were shut down and there was little development.
In contemporary times, Sliven has experienced a surge in economy with increased investment, banking establishments and new industries have began to emerge. The dairy industry, which has long been present, continues to grow and thrive. The wine industry, with companies such as
Vinprom and Vini Sliven and about a dozen others, continues to grow as grapes are easily grown due to the climate conditions. In terms of heavy industry, Sliven is home to a
3MM plant which produces machinery used to cut metals. The city also produces electric lights and electrical machines.
Light industry in sliven is mostly devoted to textiles with many companies making wool clothing, socks, and food.
Culture
The dramatic theater in Sliven, situated on the city's main square. This theatre serves as a venue for various performing arts.
There are many buildings in the city built in the National Revival Architecture style, including the Hadzhi Dimitur House-Museum. It is in the south western part of the town and shows visitors a complex of a native memorial home and an old traditional inn. The Dobry Chintulov Memorial House Museum is on the North side of Sliven; it was the home of the Bulgarian revival teacher and poet Dobry Chintulov.
The city's main theater is located at the main city square. It is named after the Sliven native Stefan Kirov (Стефан Киров) who was a prominent actor and director.
Demographics
According to 2007 estimates the Sliven municipality has a population of 147,557, while the city Sliven 112,103 citizens.
Ethnic Groups
Members of the following ethnic groups are represented in the city's population.
★
Bulgarians
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Armenians
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Jewish
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Turkish
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Roma (Gypsies)
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Sarakatsani
Municipality
Sliven is the administrative centre of the eponymous Sliven municipality (part of
Sliven Province), which includes the following 49 places (towns in bold):
Town twinning
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Alba Iulia,
Romania
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Gera,
Germany
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Pécs,
Hungary
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Voronezh,
Russia
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Svetlahorsk,
Belarus
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Ternopil,
Ukraine
External links
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Digital photos from Sliven
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Official site of Sliven
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Sliven at Pictures of Bulgaria
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Guide to Sliven district, cities, villages and regions
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Sliven.net
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Sliven.government.bg
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Sliven.start.bg
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Sliven on Google Maps
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