Every year on 22-nd of March the citizens of Veliko Tarnovo celebrate the day of their town. The reason this exact date to become a holiday of the Old Bulgarian Capital is that on March 22 (March 9 acc. to the Julian calendar), 1230 Tsar Ivan Asen II defeated the Epirus ruler Theodore Komnenos Doukas at the battle of Klokotnitsa. Theodore was captured and spent the next 7 years in captivity. He was released in 1237 when Tsar Ivan Asen II married his daughter Irene. In honor of the victory was constructed the Church “Holy Forty Martyrs”.
Nowadays people from all over the country go to Veliko Tarnovo for the celebrations, which begin in the morning with liturgy in the Church “Holy Forty Martyrs” and last until the evening. The city center is full of people, it is a day off for the children at school. During the day diverse vocal and dance academies take part, folklore ensembles as well. In the afternoon there is street parade and in the evening paper lantern lights will fly in the air. In the end comes the spectacular show “Sound and Light” at the Tsarevets Hill and fireworks illuminate the whole sky above the city.
If you ever have the chance to go there and be part of this and feel the spirit of March 22, do not hesitate do it! It’s totally worth it!
Nowadays people from all over the country go to Veliko Tarnovo for the celebrations, which begin in the morning with liturgy in the Church “Holy Forty Martyrs” and last until the evening. The city center is full of people, it is a day off for the children at school. During the day diverse vocal and dance academies take part, folklore ensembles as well. In the afternoon there is street parade and in the evening paper lantern lights will fly in the air. In the end comes the spectacular show “Sound and Light” at the Tsarevets Hill and fireworks illuminate the whole sky above the city.
If you ever have the chance to go there and be part of this and feel the spirit of March 22, do not hesitate do it! It’s totally worth it!
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