Hundreds of children and adults joined a festive procession from the historic 40 Holy Martyrs church to the centre of Veliko Tarnovo today. In his speech the Metropolitan of Veliko Tarnovo Gregory blessed the attendees with the words: “May Veliko Tarnovo spread the light of culture, education and prosperity. May the holy trinity guard every home in Tarnovo and hence every home in our motherland.”

The celebrations are dedicated to the victory in the battle at Klokotnitsa in 1230. Around the monument to Mother Bulgaria, the Tradition association presented the old Bulgarian capital Tarnovo through the ages with authentic items and national costumes from the past. The festivities in the city throughout the day include concerts, exhibitions and shows.

Reporting and photos by Zrdavka Maslyankova