Thieves tried to steal an ATM

ATM

Unknown thieves tried to steal an ATM in the city of Biala cherkva, municipality of Pavlikeni, near Veliko Tarnovo, police officials said.

The bandits broke into the deli, housing the machine and got rid of the automated security system. Then they tried to cut away a metal part, keeping the ATM in its place. As they didn’t succeed, they left the machine alone, not taking any money from it.

But to make their run “count”, they took 230 levs from the food store and, cigarettes, liquor and some food.

1 mln. € Worth Ancient Statue Saved

Nicopolis Ad Istrum as seen nowadays Image:Veliko Tarnovo Museum

Undercover policemen captured a group of treasure-hunters in Veliko Tarnovo “City Pub“. The arrest took place around 12 o’clock yesterday. The outlaws came to the club and got some drinks. Meanwhile, the undercover cops were sitting on a table next to them, observing them closely. Suddenly, the policemen rose and poited their guns at the criminals, creating panic and forceing the personnel to press the panic button. But when security arrived, they only saw their colleagues handcuffing the treasure hunters. Later two more mebers of the crew were captured and an unique marble statue of a woman was found in one of their cars, as well as some other ancient artifacts.

The statue is most probably stolen from an ancient tomb of a wealthy family. It was dated arond III century AC. The figure is extremely valuable, as the head has remained on its place. Most of the statues, found in Bulgaria from that time have lost their heads, as the early christians were cutting it off, thinking no human should be drawn or represented in any way.

Veliko Tarnovo will be snow-proof this winter

Winter forest

This winter Veliko Tarnovo’s streets, sidewalks and parks will be cleaned like in Moscow and Vienna. For the first time in the old bulgarian capital the high quality “IceMelt” salt will be used.

The “Titan” firm, responsible for cleaning the city has ordered 20 tons of the chemical to be imported from Russia. When sprinkled over ice, it melts to water in two hours. The new salt will be used for the first time in Bulgaria, helping reduce sewerage obstructions 50%. The firm confirmed that they are ready for bad conditions with new machines, bought especially to distribute the chemical.

Tsar Ivan Shishman’s treasure doesn’t exist

Hidden Treasure

Sadly, there are no hidden treasures in Veliko Tarnovo, said National history museum director professor Bozhidar Dimitrov. He spoke, after anonymous rumors on the Internet claimed there are undiscovered treasures under the hills of the old bulgarian capital. One of the versions is king’s mint was on Trapezitsa hill. Before the Ottoman turks’ campaign, the king ordered that the place, where the coins were made is buried. Legends tell of hidden treasure near Troshana country, south of Veliko Tarnovo.

If Tarnovo kings had money, they would’ve had a strong army and wouldn’t have let the turks conquer the country. Bulgaria wouldn’t have been captivated, the historian said. He supposed that one of the reasons for the state to be conquered was that army consisted of soldiers of fortune and not of armed population. Having a big mercenary army involves having a lot of money. There’s no Ivan Shishman’s treasure, the proffesor ws definite.

14 tons of chocolate given to children and elderly people

Chocolate bar

14 tons of chocolate was given away to students, children and elderly people, living in homes for needy people. It was divided among 21 schools and 12 homes for old men as well as a ton of instant soups. 141 680 chocolates and 50 000 soups were distributed to 7648 students and 700 occupants of the municipality social institutions.

The products were donated by Nestle and the National fund for social integration “St. Nicola”. As they arrived in Veliko Tarnovo warehouses yesterday, they were delivered timely. The donation has all the required certificates for quality of foods and ingredients.

All the chocolate has to be eaten up by the end of October, as the “Best Before” date expires. The deadline for the soups is end of November. If the donation is properly divided and distributed, every student, orphan and socially unequal old man will get 17 bars of chocolate.

The only Enstrom 480 D helicopter in Bulgaria is in Tarnovo

Enstrom 480 D

The Chairman of the Agricultural Aviation Association Gancho Daskalov is the first and only owner of an Enstrom 480 D helicopter in Bulgaria. The flying machine was bought from the US and will be delivered to Bulgaria in late October. The helicopter could be seen on Gorna Oriahovitsa airport. As the owner said, there aren’t many people capable of buying such machine. It has a turbine engine and suits all the requirements of the european standarts.

The helicopter has cargo pothooks hor saving people, lands on water and is modified for agricultural work. Thus the machine could be used for lots of purposes, even for sea accidents rescue, as it can go 200 m deep in sea aquatory.

1.4 billion € is Tourism Income for 2008

Tourist on the beach

The National Tourism Agency negotiates with freighters and logistics firms on advertising bulgarian tourism on international transport vehicles. This is a successful way to draw attention to our golden treasures, for example, said NTA chief Anelia Krushkova.

By the end of the year Bulgaria will be advertised on milk boxes, juice and paper wrappers for bread. That’s how, while shopping, 4 million central europeans will get attracted on visiting the country. Advertising on one truck will cost 500 € and food advertising will cost about 30 000 €.

Indian tourists and european pensioners could get back on feet tourism in Bulgaria, Anelia Krushkova said. 7 million Indians travel broad. By 2020 this number is expected to grow up to 30 million. the only problem fr Bulgarian tourism is that 44% of them are vegetarians. 40% of the 100 million european pensioners have never travelled abroad and that’s the target group to go after.

A growth of 17.03% has been registered on the number of tourists that visited our country this year. By the end of the year there is a growth of 20% expected. 1.454 billion € is the annual tourism income and that’s 12.4% more than last year, NTA officials said.

Veliko Tarnovo Video

Veliko Tarnovo is not the oldest Bulgarian town, but no doubt, according to foreigners’ and Bulgarians’ confessions it is the most Bulgarian town! Town, whose spirit represents Bulgaria and its deep roots and its way to the future. Seven thousand years of history have been stored, within the hills, embraced by the magnificent meanders of the Yantra River.

Citizens to walk by foot and ride bikes on Independence day

Veliko Tarnovo Municipality will take part in Mobility week. Following the campaign “You control climate changes” on September 22nd in Veliko Tarnovo 20 000 brochures, stickers, T-shirts and bags will be given away. Central streets will be closed for vehicles to let the citizens move by foot or bycicles.

Mobility week and “You control climate changes” campaign are organised by European commission and will take place in five countries – Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland. The idea is to draw attention to reducing CO2 pollution for more effective climate change decreasing. As Sept. 22nd is Independence day in Bulgaria and this year 100 years since the act of Independence was signed will be celebrated, it’s still unclear how the expected high traffic will be routed through the closed streets.

“Scene of ages” show relaunched on Tsarevets after 23 years

Tsarevets - front view

The emblematic festival “Scene of ages” will be relaunched on Tsarevets hill, after being stopped fot 23 years. The first spectacles of the National opera and ballet will take place on September 12. After the show being surprisingly stopped in the 80’s of last century many businessmen tried to relaunch the show, but the real relaunch will only just happen now.

Right now at the king’s palace a big platform for 1500 people is built. on September 12 Giacomo Puccini’s “Tourandot” will be shown to celebrate 150 years of his birth. More spectacles are expected in the days after.