Varna Square to Be Named 'Flame' in Self-Immolator Memory

The square in front of the building of Varna's City Hall, where artist Plamen Goranov set himself on fire to be named "Flame," Varna citizens have requested.

A group of locals, who took part in the largest in Bulgaria protest rallies against poverty, stagnation and corruption, have already logged a written request with the Municipal Council.

Goranov, 36, took the drastic action on February 20, amid a wave of massive protests across the country against poverty, economic stagnation and corruption.

In addition to demanding the resignation of fourth-term Varna Mayor, Kiril Yordanov, he was one of the few to explicitly blame shady TIM business group, centered in Varna, for the dire situation in the country and in the north-east in particular.

Bulgarians, especially those on social networks, have called him a martyr of the protests in comparing him with Czech student, Jan Palach.

Goranov died on March 3, which many have seen as symbolic since the day is the country's national holiday when Bulgaria celebrates its liberation from 5 centuries of Ottoman rule.

His condition worsened last Sunday evening and he succumbed to multiple organ failure, after being for several days on induced coma.

"We believe in your immediate reaction. We issue a one-week deadline to you to fulfill the only wish that unites all citizens on this day. We reject any requirements for filing a petition since there is no petition that has room for the signatures of all Bulgarians," the request, which was sent and distributed on March 6, states.

Varna people have also started a fundraising campaign to erect a monument of Goranov on the same square.

Amazingly, the name Plamen is deriving from the word flame in Bulgarian.

Wednesday, March 6, was a national day of mourning for Goranov.

Silent vigils were held across Bulgaria.

In Varna, a mass attended by thousands was served in the Saint Petka Church. Goranov's remains were transported to the capital Sofia for cremation as this has been his father's wish.

The urn will be returned to Varna by the end of the week and will be placed in the city's central cemetery, but the exact date remains unknown.

On the same day, at the time of the mass, Varna Mayor, Kiril Yordanov resigned, but people in the city vow to continue protests rallies until all their demands are met.

As soon as the news about Goranov's sacrifice emerged, the Mayor said he would do so, if the probe establishes evidence he is directly responsible for the tragedy.

Yordanov was lastly endorsed by the center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party GERB and elected on its ballot. He is said to have been serving TIM's interests. On Sunday, GERB revoked its endorsement.

Goranov's was the second of a string of three self-immolations that shocked Bulgaria as political and economic stability deteriorated.

26-year-old Traian Marechkov set himself on fire and died soon after in Veliko Tarnovo on February 19, having explained he is too despaired to live on.

53-year-old Ventsislav Vasiliev set himself on fire in Radnevo on February 26, having explained he has long lived in great poverty. He is currently hospitalized in a critical condition.

Plamen Goranov was a politically aware and active young man, and his extreme action is widely seen as being politically motivated.

The center-right government of Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov resigned amid protests on February 20, with snap elections to be probably held May 12, just two months ahead of the regular date in July.