Veliko Tarnovo celebrates its holiday for the 144th time

published on 3/22/23 2:56 PM

Tsarevets Fortress, Veliko Tarnovo (archive)

Photo: Veneta Nikolova, BNR

For the 144th year, Bulgaria's medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo is celebrating its holiday today. The day is dedicated to the victory of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II at Klokotnitsa in 1230. Veliko Tarnovo, often dubbed the historical and spiritual capital of Bulgaria, was the first Bulgarian town to choose a historical date for its holiday after the Liberation from the Ottoman Domination in 1878. The day of Veliko Tarnovo was first marked in 1879.

Despite the rainy weather, the festive ceremonies began with a solemn liturgy in the historic church of the Forty Holy Martyrs in Veliko Tarnovo where a part of the relics of Saint Ivan Rilski (John of Rila) was brought.

Then there was a festive procession from the church to the Monument to Mother Bulgaria in the town centre.

In his festive speech, the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo, Daniel Panov, called for unity: "Let's protect Tarnovgrad from the timelessness of populism, let's be united and strong".

Vice President Iliana Iotova noted that today is the time to seriously fight against those who want to rewrite Bulgarian history, stressing that in order to be a good governor and a good patriot, you must be internally independent and urged: "Let's safeguard this town in the embrace of the Yantra River and know that, because of this town, the name Bulgaria is written in big golden letters as a sanctuary of European civilization".

The title of honorary citizen of Veliko Tarnovo was awarded to the rector of the University of Veliko Tarnovo Prof. Hristo Bonzholov, the actor Lyubomir Bachvarov and posthumously to the poet Marin Bodakov and the surgeon Dr. Ivan Tolekov.

Residents of Veliko Tarnovo shared what town they want to live in: "A beautiful, well-developed town, with more green spaces, with more amenities for us, the residents of Veliko Tarnovo. With more work for everyone. Things that will inspire people to call it the spiritual and historical capital of Bulgaria."

Today, Veliko Tarnovo is the 15th largest town in Bulgaria and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and visited places in the country.

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Photos: Zdravka Maslyankova, BGNES, Daniel Panov (Facebook), BNR archive

Edited by Rositsa Petkova