FAQ

Q.: On which days is the show "Tsarevgrad Tarnov - Sound and Light" broadcast?

A.: The audio-visual programme "Tsarevgrad Tarnov - Sound and Light" can be broadcast year-round, regardless of weather conditions. The programme is not broadcast on pre-determined days according to the schedule, but can be watched for free on national holidays and city holidays, and on any other day the show can be broadcast for a fee, if a request is made by individual clients or organized groups.

Q.: Can I watch the programme if it rains/snows?

A.: The audio-visual programme "Tsarevgrad Tarnov - Sound and Light" can be broadcast year-round regardless of weather conditions. Exceptions are cases of extremely thick fog, when there is no visibility to the hill, as well as in the case of force majeure circumstances (event).

For the convenience of the groups that order the show, a special hall with a panoramic terrace has been built, located behind the "Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno" Cathedral. The hall is glazed and air-conditioned, and has the best view of Tsarevets Hill, so that spectators can comfortably watch the show in all weather conditions.

Q.: Can I watch the show for free?

A.: Yes. The audio-visual programme "Tsarevgrad Tarnov - Sound and Light" can be watched for free on national holidays and city holidays. For dates of free broadcasts, check the BROADCASTS section.

Q.: Why can't I watch the show for free?

A.: The show can also be watched for free. The Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo does everything in its power to ensure that the show is broadcast free of charge for citizens and guests of the old capital on national holidays and city holidays. On any other day, the show can be broadcast for a fee if a request is made by individual clients or organized groups.

The audio-visual programme "Tsarevgrad Tarnov - Sound and Light" was created 30 years ago. The facility is huge in terms of infrastructure: 630 km of cables, 2400 projectors, 140 flashes, 6 bells, 2 lasers, audio equipment, a computer center, 6 high-voltage transformer stations, 72 electrical panels with equipment control, an observation deck, etc. Its maintenance and operation are taken care of by 13 people who are constantly busy.

Given the large amount of electricity consumed, the need for materials, the payment of the team, etc., it is not possible to provide the show for free throughout the year.

Q.: Are there different programs from which I can choose?

A.: This is a popular myth about the existence of dozens of programs from which the program operators choose which one to broadcast. The truth is that since the regular broadcast of the program began 40 years ago until today, it has always been the same. The only difference is the absence of the red laser for a short period of time due to technical reasons. The red laser was restored under a project with European funds in 2012.

Due to the different seasons and the vegetation of the hill, the weather conditions, or simply the different emotional state of the audience, it is possible to create a feeling of difference, but the truth remains - the program is the same.

Q.: Why was the programme longer before?

A.: Another popular myth is that there is a long programme and a short one, and the audience chooses which one to play. The truth is that there has been only one program for 40 years. The program is 21 minutes long, of which the first 3 require technological time to start the next 18 "realistic" minutes.

Q.: Why is there no narrator during the programme now?

A.: The concept of the implemented programme never included an announcer DURING the performance. The impression of the presence of such a voice probably remained with some guests from a film about the programme, which is distributed on DVD, in which there is a voice narrating what is happening. In the original sound at the fortress there is no "reader" or "narrator".

Recently, the team of "Tsarevgrad Tarnov - Sound and Light" restored the old practice of playing a voice explaining to the audience what they are about to see, and this voice is heard BEFORE the performance in different languages.

Q.: Why is there no sound on the square in front of Tsarevets?

A.: Another myth is that the sound equipment on Tsar Asen Square is constantly damaged and guests cannot watch a quality show. The sound on the square works perfectly - you can see this if you visit one of the broadcasts announced for viewing from the square.

The reason why viewers sometimes see the lights of the programme but do not hear the sound is that at that moment the programme is being broadcast for a tourist group that has ordered and paid for the show. In such cases, the guests have taken seats on the panoramic terrace, from where they have the best view, wonderful sound and the comfort to watch the show in its true beauty. The sound on the square in such cases is deliberately turned off.

Q.: Why aren't speakers installed on Ivan Vazov and Nikola Piccolo streets so that the many guests who haven't taken their seats on Tsar Asen Square can hear?

A.: We realize that in some cases on major holidays, Tsar Asen Square is not large enough to accommodate everyone who wants to watch the show. However, there is no way to provide sound for people who have taken their seats on the streets behind the square. The speakers on the square itself are designed with precise placement to reproduce the left, right and rear channels. In this way, those standing on the square get the maximum effect of the exciting experience. In addition, the infrastructure is underground and does not allow mobility of the speakers.

Q.: Can I watch the show from inside Tsarevets Fortress?

A.: Theoretically, your presence in the fortress during the show is possible, but in most cases it is hardly likely, given the fact that the program is broadcast in the evening, when the Tsarevets's working hours are usually over.

Besides that, however, all the facilities of the programme are arranged in such a way that they can be seen (or their effect can be seen) by people standing far away and looking at the fortress. The person standing in the fortress itself sees the spotlights turning on and off, but does not see the overall picture.

Q.: Can I watch the programme from Arbanasi?

A.: No, you can't. Figuratively speaking, Tsarevets Hill is located between Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi. The show is designed to be observed from the Veliko Tarnovo side. All parts of the system (projectors, flashes, etc.) are installed on this side, and Arbanasi is exactly on the opposite side. On the other hand, however, the distance between Tsarevets and Arbanasi is only 3 km., so, if desired, traveling to the observation point would not be a problem.