Tonka Obretenova

Who was Tonka Obretenova?

Tonka Obretenova, known as baba Tonka, was a female Bulgarian revolutionary, born in 1812, probably in Rousse.

Her parents, Toncho Postavchiyata and Minka Toncheva, were from the village of Cherven. She married Tiho Obretenov — a famous tailor and tradesman in Rousse. They had seven children all of whom participated in the Bulgarian revolutionary movement. Obretenova herself lent major support to the revolutionary committee - she was famous for sheltering a number of revolutionary leaders. The Rousse Revolutionary Committee, the most important one in the interior of Bulgaria, was established by her son Nikola Obretenov, in her house. Baba Tonka buried Stefan Karadzha, and managed to preserve his skull.

Her sons Angel, Petar, Nikola, and Georgi took part in different detachments and were killed, or sent into long exile. Her younger daughter, Anastasiya married Zahari Stoyanov — a revolutionary, writer and publicist.

Baba Tonka Cove in Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Tonka Obretenova.