site.btaVeliko Tarnovo Celebrates 146th Holiday on March 22

The 146th holiday of the city of Veliko Tarnovo, celebrated on March 22, began with a festive liturgy. The celebrations will continue throughout the day with a rich programme, including concerts, guided tours, a street parade, and various entertainment for children and adults, the Municipality said.

The Veliko Tarnovo holiday is associated with the victory of Tsar Ivan Asen II over the Epirus ruler Theodore Komnenos in the Battle of Klokotnitsa on March 22 (March 9, old style) 1230, as well as with the Day of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste. In 1879, the first celebration of the holiday by the people of Veliko Tarnovo was held, the Regional History Museum recalled.

Traditionally, the festive March 22nd begins with a liturgy, water blessing and blessing for health, reading the text from Asen’s Column in the historic Holy Forty Martyrs Church and laying wreaths and flowers on the sarcophagus of Tsar Kaloyan. From there, a festive procession of students and citizens will set off towards the city centre. It will end in front of the Municipality building, where the official part of the holiday will be held.

The festive programme will continue at the Konstantin Kisimov Music and Drama Theatre with a festive meeting of the Veliko Tarnovo Municipal Council, where the new honourary citizens of the city will be voted on and announced. This year, these are Prof. Ancho Kaloyanov, Vladimir Gabrov and posthumously architect Teofil Teofilov.

On the festive day, the Regional History Museum organizes two guided tours on the topic "The Spiritual Greatness of the Reigning Tarnovgrad". An adventure role-playing game will also be held at the Tsarevets Fortress.

In the Marno Pole park, fun activities will be organized for children, and in the Mother Bulgaria park there will be an exhibition of historical objects and animation related to the celebration of the city's holiday over the past 50 years. The long-standing tradition of handing out mekitsi pastries and a glass of wine will also be observed.

The festivities will continue with a concert on the stage in front of the Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, featuring Dara, the children from the Elita music school, Ruslan Mainov and Slavka Kalcheva. There will be a big horo traditional dance and performances by amateur groups from the city. This year, the street parade will also be resumed, with the participation of five DJs. It will end at the square in front of Tsarevets, where the celebrations will culminate with a Sound and Light show and festive fireworks.