The Bulgarian climbers who were the first to plant the national flag on Everest 40 years ago live on meager pensions and feel forgotten, bTV reported.
Because of the frostbitten and subsequently amputated toes during the climb of Everest, Metodi Savov lives with physical pain. But also with the pain of oblivion.
„You know me, do you know the others from the expedition? You don't know them - does Zapryan Horozov tell you anything, does Lyubo Iliev tell you anything, does Todor Grigorov tell you anything - nothing“, the man commented.
In 1984 Bulgarians climbed Everest for the first time, and on the most difficult Western route, and one of them, Hristo Prodanov, remained on the summit forever.
The participants in the expedition received honors and a decent pension. But after November 10, the title of Hero of Socialist Labor was abolished, and Metodi Savov's pension is now miserable.
“The Olympic champions were given pensions - the so-called Olympic pensions. We are being abandoned everywhere - how many times have I written a letter to the Minister of Sports, to the President, no attention, no wail, no groan“, he commented.
On May 23, famous actors will recite poems by Bulgarian poets in the performance “Poets and the Seasons”. The money from the tickets will be given to Metodi Savov.
“And in fact, let us declare that these people are not forgotten, that respect for them is not forgotten and that the example is alive and that our memory is alive“, commented Diana Aleksieva.
Two days after the performance, Metodi Savov turns 78. “I don't have a body, but I have a spirit”, he says with bitterness.
“Such ingratitude tears me apart“, the climber adds.
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Май 17, 2025 21:48 258