Memorial complex Our Aerodrome Uzundzhovo

I think it goes without saying (or maybe not) that this isn't exactly my favorite thing. Never in my life have rockets, airplanes (especially combat) and any other flying objects attracted me (well, maybe only flying saucers 😁).

When we were kids, my brother had a tin rocket that stood on the ground, with a ladder going down and an astronaut peering out of the entrance. I found this toy somewhat interesting, wondering how this person lived inside, at a time when I thought, as a child, that everything is alive.

Later in life I remember that the village next door to where I spent my summers had a memorial airplane in the square.

My friends and I used to ride our bikes to this neighboring village to look at the plane, even though we were small and even though it was far away.

Still, I think I was more afraid of that machine than anything else.

Not to mention the fact that this is a military aircraft, not anything else. And I just didn't understand why this huge thing had to be standing there so menacingly in the middle of the square.

Of course, this here is something else. I'm not a child anymore. And the pictures were taken before the start of the current war, I should clarify that.

And yet, it's still not my thing.

But let me start like this.

What I am showing you is a memorial complex that is called "Our Uzundzhovo Airport".

It is located in the village of Uzundzhovo, next to which a military airport was actually located.

An exhibit of the MiG-21bis is on display (along with other things.)

To tell you the truth, the reason I'm showing you this place is not the plane. Actually, the plane is the cause, but in a different sense. Because...

there are many other interesting things in this village of Uzundzhovo. But the village itself is felt in a very special way.

I really wanted to walk its streets, but we missed that part. To walk the streets of this settlement seemed very dangerous to me. Because only by entering it one falls into the so-called the other Bulgaria, occupied by Roma, who, you know, live in a very specific way, which is sharply different from the lifestyle of the indigenous population, and their behavior, culture and mentality is sharply different from that of other populations.

What I really want to say is that there is a huge contrast between the atmosphere in the settlement and this monument. Such a great contrast that passing by this monument, one feels as if one is seeing a chimera, something non-existent. Which is even more of a comfort than a threat. It speaks of the military past of a nation.

(Monument to the pilots of the 21st Fighter Aviation Regiment who died in flight.)

(Monument to Rayna Kasabova, the first woman in the world to participate in a combat flight over Edirne - translation of the inscription on the plate.)

A nation that disappears with each passing year and decade, taken over by another nation. And this is felt most precisely in this village.

In short, it is a monument to the military past of something disappearing, which will eventually become non-existent.
Oh, forgive my pessimism.
The post didn't have to lead to this. Even I am surprised. But these are Hive's unexpected ways 😄
Have a great one!

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Copyright: @soulsdetour

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	Soul's Detour is a project started by me years ago when I had a blog about historical and not so popular tourist destinations in Eastern Belgium, West Germany and Luxembourg. Nowadays, this blog no longer exists, but I'm still here - passionate about architecture, art and mysteries and eager to share my discoveries and point of view with you.