Veliko Tarnovo is not just a city, it is a symbol. When the sun sets behind the hills of the Stara Planina and dusk envelops Yantra, the Tsarevets fortress prepares for its greatest spectacle. The audio-visual show "Sound and Light" is an experience that every Bulgarian and traveler should see at least once in their life.

A story told through light

The spectacle Sound and Light in green shades over the old Bulgarian capital. Simeon Salov

The soothing green light that floods the towers symbolizes hope, new beginnings and the revival of the Bulgarian spirit after difficult times.

Created in 1985 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Uprising of Asen and Peter, this spectacle is unique in Europe. Through dramatic music, bell ringing and thousands of colored lights, the entire history of Bulgaria is traced - from the greatness of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, through the difficult centuries of slavery, to the Liberation.

As a photographer, for me it's not just a light show, it's a visual poem. Each color has its own meaning:

  • Red – a symbol of blood and battles for freedom.

  • Green – the hope and revival of the nation.

  • The golden light – the brilliance of the capital city of Tarnovgrad.

The challenge of night reporting

Tsarevets Fortress illuminated in warm colors at night, photographed by Simeon Salov.

When the fortress glows in golden and warm yellow, it's as if we're returning to the times of the greatness of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.

Dramatic red lighting of Tsarevets Fortress, symbolizing history.

The rich red lighting is a dramatic reminder of the battles, fires, and sacrifices woven into the fortress' centuries-old history.

Shooting "Sound and Light" requires patience and precision. As a wedding photographer Simeon Salov, I often shoot in dynamic environments, but here the "main character" is the fortress itself. Working with long exposures allows the laser beams to literally "cut" the frame, and the colors to be saturated to levels that the human eye has difficulty capturing in real time.

Night photography in Tarnovo is a search for the perfect balance between the black sky and the fiery walls of Tsarevets. It is a reminder that even in the darkest hours, light always finds a way to shine.
   Photographing national symbols like Tsarevets is a matter of responsibility – the same dedication to detail that I approach as a photographer for weddings and official events

Panoramic photo of Tsarevets Hill and audio-visual spectacle Sound and Light.

A panoramic view that reveals the true scale of the "Sound and Light" show, encompassing the entire historic Tsarevets hill and the Yantra riverbed.