The Aladzha Monastery

Audio-visual spectacle “Legends of Aladzha Monastery”

Type: stati | Historic Period:

The audio-visual spectacle “Legends of Aladzha Monastery” was created with funds granted by Varna Municipality in support of the initiative to support the application of Varna as European Capital of Culture in 2019.
The spectacle is a joint production of the Producer House CSM – Sofia and the Regional Historic Museum of Varna and is dedicated to the 150-anniversary from the birth of the Bulgarian archeology founders – the brothers Karel and Hermione Shkorpil. The park, the special-effect and artistic illumination have been designed and executed by the Varna-based company for lighting “Prisma – Lighting Solutions”, managed by Eng. Stephan Schultz.
The spectacle script-writer is Valeri Kinov, producer – Nikolay Yotov, composer – Georgi Andreev. The choreography is the work of the Artdance Varna ballet formation managed by Nina Kozina, and the historic reproductions – the work of CHIGOT, Varna. Producers are Ivan Yotov and Nikolay Yotov.
The spectacle is based on the book of Valeri Kinov “Legend of Aladzha Monastery” but includes also elements presenting the cultural-historic heritage of Varna and Varna region since the earliest times. On the rock massif, into which the monastery cells have been hewn, are intertwined in a unique way not only audio but also lighting effects, and film scenes are projected, which has no analogue in the entire Southeast Europe as a creator solution.
In chronological sequence has been presented the origination of life on the Planet Earth, the ancient Sea of Sarmatia that 15 million years ago covered the territory of the entire Southeast Europe, the appearance of man, discovery of fire and the first pottery-making practice. Significant place has been allotted to the earliest human civilization known under the name of “Varna Culture” that existed 6 500 years ago along the Black Sea coast and left us the world oldest processed gold in the Neolithic necropolis in Varna. An interesting choreographic production presents the ritual: “Sending of a messenger to the Great Dacian god Zelmoxis”. The foundation of the ancient Odessos by Greek seafarers is revealed, and the Roman period, along with the construction of one of the largest Emperor thermal baths in Europe.
Important place has been allotted to the creation of the Bulgarian Kingdom and the cult rituals of ancient Bulgarians. An interesting film impression presents the time of the great Bulgarian King Boris who converted the Bulgarians to Christianity in the year 865.

A major place in the spectacle has been allotted to the origination and existence of the medieval rock monastery. The daily routine of the monks has been presented – preparing of ritual bread and administering of the most importance Christian sacrament “Eucharistia” (the Holy Communion). The main feature in that scenic reproduction is inscribing of the mural painting from the ceiling of the chapel and the image of a light angel featuring the enigmatic smile of the Gioconda .
The authors selected the year 1444 as the end of the medieval rock monastery, at which time near Varna, in the Memorable battle of nations, knights from all over Europe under the leadership of the Polish-Hungarian King Vladislav III Jagiello attempted to stop the Ottoman invasion towards Europe. The King was killed during the battle and an ancient legend tells that some monks, having a foreboding of the coming defeat, hid the most valuable artifacts from that monastery and from twelve others– books, icons and church plates, and then accepted the martyr death from the hand of the invaders.
After the monastery perished, the legends of the mysterious Rim Papa were born - patron and keeper of the hidden in the underground labyrinths treasures, and of the revived angel from the frescoes, both wondering among the ruins.
The final scene, on the background of Jesus prayer „Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!” is a symbol of the medieval rock monastery and of the intransience of human and Christian values.
In 2010, the spectacle was awarded the “Cultural Attraction of 2010” prize of the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (BHRA).