A new monument to poet Ivaylo Balabanov now stands by the Old Bridge over the Maritsa River in Svilengrad. It was unveiled on October 5, the town's holiday, known as Town Day.

Mayor Anastas Karchev and Petko Pachov, head of the local Rotary Club, unveiled the memorial, which carries a bronze relief of the poet. Pachov came up with the idea and paid for most of it, while sculptor Tamer Halil made the relief.

The granite base and bronze face weigh close to 5 tons. Balabanov is an honorary citizen of Svilengrad, and one of his four-line poems is carved into the base. The Old Bridge has stood as a symbol of the town for five centuries.

"We had the honor of living alongside the 'poet of Svilengrad,'" said mayor Anastas Karchev. He said the monument will let future generations get to know Balabanov's work and learn from his poetry about honor, pride and love of country.

Bishop Bogoslov of Markianopolis, from the Stara Zagora Diocese, blessed the monument with holy water. The poet's sister, Zlatka Dolapchieva, his sons Atanas and Dimitar, and his grandson Ivan attended the ceremony. Ivaylo Balabanov was born in 1945 and died in 2021.