The **Strandzha Commune** or '''Strandzha Republic '''was a short-lived
anarchist society in the [Ottoman Empire](Ottoman_Empire "wikilink") in
what is now [Bulgaria](Republic_of_Bulgaria "wikilink") in
[1903](Timeline_of_Libertarian_Socialism "wikilink") during The St
Elijah's Day or [Ilinden-Preobrazhenie
Uprising](Ilinden-Preobrazhenie_Uprising "wikilink").

## Decision-Making

According to one historian righting on the subject:

> "The question of state power was never raised, and no decrees were
> issued. The population of the liberated villages nominated and elected
> not mayors and presidents, but commissioners from among their own
> number. The commissions were to administer, not to rule. Never was
> there any talk of establishing any authorities, albeit new ones. It
> was only emphasized that the "commissions" would function under the
> control of the rebel forces. This was quite natural and also a matter
> of necessity, because decisive power was now in the hands of the
> people in arms, and its fate was in its own hands.\[1\]

## Economy

The economy of the Strandzha Commune was based almost entirely on
[agriculture](agriculture "wikilink"). [Land](Land "wikilink"),
livestock, salt and grain were made [common](Commons "wikilink") to all
people based on [anarcho-communist](Anarcho-Communism "wikilink")
principles. Most of the labor force was composed of women, who worked in
the farms as men became guerilla fighters. This period saw a significant
boost in the health of people as they were able to eat more.\[2\]

## Culture

The now free villagers held numerous feasts, dances and festivals to
celebrate the commune.\[3\]

## Collapse

The commune was destroyed as it was stormed by thousands of Ottoman
soldiers.\[4\]

## References

<references />

1.  Georgi Khadzhiev (1992) Down With The Sultan, Long Live The Balkan
    Federation\!
2.
3.
4.