The participants in the international conference held in Sofia on “Protection of Cultural Heritage and Promotion of Cultural Diversity – a Response to Globalization” visited Veliko Tarnovo, the Old Capital of Bulgaria
On May 7, 2009, the participants in the international conference on “Protection of Cultural Heritage and Promotion of Cultural Diversity – a Response to Globalization” visited Veliko Tarnovo, the Old Capital of Bulgaria.
The participants visited the city of Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities and capital of Bulgaria at the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185–1393 A.D.) The city has a history of over five millennia, as the first traces on life there date back to the third millennium B.C.
The participants, accompanied by archeologist Nikolai Ovcharov, visited the Tsarevets Fortress, situated in the very heart of the city. It was the most important Bulgarian fortification during the Second Kingdom (1185–1393 A.D.)
The participants in the conference also visited the ancient village of Arbanassi, an architectural and historical site on the outskirts of Veliko Tarnovo. It is characterised by its monumental houses and churches with richly decorated interiors, woodworks and frescos dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. In Arbanassi, the delegation visited the ‘Nativity’ Church from the 15th century and a historic house museum, which has preserved the features of everyday life during the Bulgarian National Revival period.
Later that evening, the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo Mr. Roumen Tashev gave a dinner in honour of the delegation, after which the guests attended the “Sound and Light” audio-visual show on the Tsarevets hill. A concoction of lights, lasers and church bell chimes, set to a score of dramatic music, tells the glorious and tragic story of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom(1185–1393 A.D.)