November 1 - Day of the National Awakeners!
The holiday of the great Bulgarians dates back to 1909, when on October 19 solemnly celebrated the transfer of the relics of St.. Ivan Rilski to Sredets. With the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1916, the celebration shifted to November 1.
In 1922, the government of Alexander Stamboliyski established the holiday by law, and in 1923 a normative act came into force - a decree of Tsar Boris III, which declared November 1 a national holiday in memory of the deserving Bulgarians.
From 1928 to 1944 in Veliko Tarnovo it was celebrated jointly with the holiday of the local garrison. "On the eve of the double holiday, the main street was illuminated by fireworks and a torchlight procession, and on November 1 itself, a memorial service and a prayer service were held at the Kolodrum. All the cultural organisations, students from the local schools and almost the entire population of Turnovo were there. The Metropolitan of Veliko Tarnovo opened the celebration with a heartfelt speech about the immortal work of the national awakeners. The chief of the Tarnovo garrison also gave a speech about the brave Bulgarian soldier."
In 1929, the idea was born to invite every year on this date distinguished citizens of Veliko Tarnovo living in the capital or abroad, "to prove to the world that the royal city of Asenevtsi is still great and prosperous through its notable sons, glorifying it far beyond the borders of the birthplace."
An irrevocable part of the celebration of November 1 is the parade of local schoolchildren wearing the portraits of the national leaders. On this day the sketches of the People's University "Veliko Tarnovo" are also opened. In front of many citizens, prominent intellectuals speak on topics related to the cultural and educational growth of the boyars!
Thus, even decades ago on this day Veliko Tarnovo citizens paid their tribute and recognition to the national awakeners and Bulgarian enlighteners who preserved the spiritual values of our people over the centuries.
Sources used:
Mincheva, Tianka. The Day of the National Awakeners / Tianka Mincheva. // Village of Vetrintsi. Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo : Jubilee collection : Dedicated to the 115th anniversary of the National Church ''Napredak-1903'' : Second historical round table (New data from the history of the village. Celebrating 100 years since the end of World War I and 140 years since the Russo-Turkish War) : XIV Music Festival ''Vetrintsi sings'' - Veliko Tarnovo : B. ed., 2019, pp. 87-90.
Nedeva, Todorka. Tarnovo holidays : 1878-1944 / Todorka Nedeva - Veliko Tarnovo : PIK, 2009. - 184 с.
Nedeva, Todorka. November 1 in the history of the old capital / Todorka Nedeva. // B o r b a (Veliko Tarnovo), XIX, N 208, 1 Nov. 2011, p. 8 : with il.
