Bulgaria has a rich maritime heritage, unique biodiversity and beautiful natural landscapes that should be protected and preserved for future generations. During the celebration of the European Maritime Day in Bulgaria, various events and promotions aimed at popularizing the environmental problems of the marine environment are organized. These can be massive coastal cleanups, environmental conferences, educational seminars and exhibitions dedicated to marine biodiversity and nature conservation.
The organizers of the European Maritime Day aim to remind the public about the importance of preserving the marine environment, as well as about the impact of human activity on it. This initiative promotes awareness of the need for ecological management of marine resources and encourages the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Bulgaria, as a country with a rich maritime heritage, uses the European Maritime Day as an opportunity to show its commitment to preserve and restore its marine resources. The efforts of the organizers and participants of the holiday are aimed at strengthening control over marine reserves, improving legislation on the marine environment, and promoting the sustainable development of coastal regions.
In 2023 officially planned 15 events in the framework of «EMD in my country», a number of events have already taken place and are still planned in Bulgaria, including:
31.05-23 Bulgaria 140 block, Trakiya, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 42°07’50.7″N 24°47’10.3″E We honor the sea Physical Narodno chitalishte «Savremennik-1986» (cultural centre) NGO
07-06-23 Bulgaria Bulgaria,Plovdiv, 42.13406, 24.74562 Memories from the Sea Physical Narodno chitalishte «Trakia-Plovdiv2008» /cultural centre/ NGO
08-06-23 Bulgaria Varna Challenges and Resilience capacity of the Bulgarian ports in a changing Black Sea Region Physical Marine Cluster Bulgaria NGO
14-06-23 Bulgaria Bulgaria, Plovdiv, 42.13967, 24.75580 Voices Of The Sea Physical Narodno chitalishte «P.R.Slaveikov – 1908» – cultural center NGO
16-06-23 Bulgaria Sofia, Bulgaria Blue Campaign Physical Association «Forum» NGO
30-06-23 Bulgaria city Varna, Bulgaria A more sustainable Blue Economy for the Black Sea National Fishing Network, Bulgaria – Еstablished pursuant to a Contract with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food – Еstablished pursuant to a Contract with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
18-07-23 Bulgaria Bulgaria, Varna Municipality, Asparuhovo District Asparuhovo Maritime Inspirations Hybrid (physical & virtual) Asparuhovo District Municipality Varna Local Authority
18-10-23 Bulgaria Varna Next generation blue skills for Black Sea’s sustainable future Physical Marine Cluster Bulgaria NGO.
Аnd have already taken place:
«The Sea – challenge and inspiration» (Varna, Odesos District, Varna Municipality), Blue Skills Generation (Varna, Regional Cluster «North-East» NGO), Our seas – our future (Sofia, Faculty «Law», University of National and World Economy Academia), Black Sea Horizon 2023 (Burgas, Black Sea Institute Association), Bulgaria Sea and health festival (Varna, Medical University “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov), Bulgaria Study visits (Varna, Varna Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Bulgaria European Maritime Day in Ecopark for biodiversity and alternative tourism «VAYA» (Burgas, Via Pontica Foundation)
From 2018 to 2022, Bulgaria organized 41 events within the framework of the European Maritime Day.
In these years, the following events were held:
On 20th October 2022, Maritime Cluster Bulgaria team (partner in the implementation of the 4BIZ project) participated on the significant event «Scientific research and innovation for a sustainable blue economy in Bulgaria» forum was held in the Festival and Congress Center – Varna. The event is part of the Programme European Maritime Day in my country.
The event is part of the European Maritime Day in my country (EMD in my country) program and is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Technical University – Varna and the 15th anniversary of Maritime Cluster Bulgaria.
MCB team participated with presentations on the topics: «European perspectives for promoting innovation in the blue economy» and «Initiatives for the development of talents in marine technologies – Virtual Center for Blue Careers in the Black Sea Region».
Other events were also held in 2022 (18) – «Тhe sea and the people» (Varna, Primary school «Vasil Aprilov»), The role of the sea – an important part of the ecological balance of the Earth (Aquarium, Municipality of Varna), Cleaning the Officers’ beach (Officers’ beach, Varna Municipality of Varna), Festival «Modern Maritime Trade Winds» (Varna, Varna High School of Commerce «Georgi Stoykov Rakovski»), EMD in Varna (Varna, Regional Academic Center Varna), Black Sea Horizons 22 (Burgas, NGO Black Sea Institute Assoc.), EMD 2022 in Ecopark «Vaya» (Burgas, NGO VIA PONTICA FOUNDATION), We sing the blue sea (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte «Savremennik1986» (cultural centre), The song of the sea (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte «Trakia-Plovdiv2008» (cultural centre), Varna Ocean Day 2022 (Varna, Central Sea Garden Gate, Geya Foundation), Blue Youth Festival (Varna, Regional Cluster «North-East»), Festival «The seafarers» (Kavarna, Primary School «Y.Yovkov», Kavarna), One-day culinary festival The Kingdom of the Trout (Devin city, Smolyan region, Local initiative fishing group High Western Rhodopes), Challenges facing local authorities and fishermen’s organizations for the development of the blue (Ravda, National Fishing Net, Bulgaria), Тhe Black sea – our home – past, present and future (Ahtopol, EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF FISHERMEN AT), The riches of Strashimirov swamp (Protected area «Yatata» – Beloslav, Wonderful Rocks Sports Club), Research and Innovations for National Blue Economy (Varna, Technical University of Varna), SEA BLUE (Varna, Narodno chitaliste «Prosveta 1927»).
2021 (10) – Blue Year (Varna Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Forum for the Future Seas (Burgas, Via Pontica Foundation), Sea dreams (Bulgaria, Narodno chitalishte «Trakia – Plovdiv – 2008» (cultural centre), Blue Summer (Varna, Regional Cluster “North-East”), Information days (Burgas, Via Pontica Foundation), Sea of art. Art of sea (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte “Savremennik-1986”), BLACK SEA HORIZONS 2021 (Burgas, Sport fishing club Glarus Association), CeNoBS project capitalization workshops (Sofia, Green Balkans NGO), Plasticdemia: Oceans need a vaccine too (Sofia, National Museum on Natural History), Cleaning the Black Sea beaches after the active touristic season (the two beaches near the Tsarevo town, Burgas region, Sustainable Development Association).
2020 (1) – Blue Generation (Varna, Regional Cluster «North-East»),
2019 (7) – A sea in the palm of your hand (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte «Trakia – Plovdiv – 2008» (cultural centre), The Sea is Alive («Pencho Slaveykov» Secondary School, Narodno chitalishte «Dimitar Blagoev – 2008 g. – grad Plovdiv» Plovdiv), Our Seas (Varna, FIRST LANGUAGE SCHOO), 5th Jubilee Festival “Sea and Health” (Faculty of Public Health at the Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria), gAR(T)bage (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte «Savremennik-1986» (cultural centre)), «People devoted to sea» (Varna, Secondary school of humanitarian sciences and arts «Konstantin Preslavski», Varna), Blue campaign (Varna,Regional Cluster «North-East».
2018 (4) – Our Seas (Varna, FIRST LANGUAGE SCHOOL), Marine fairy (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte «Dimitar Blagoev – 2008 g. – grad Plovdiv»), Love Fish campaign in Bulgaria (Sofia, University of Sofia, Faculty of biology), Let’s bring the sea to the library (Plovdiv, Narodno chitalishte «Savremennik – 1986»).
Thus, the European Maritime Day in Bulgaria is a reminder of our shared responsibility for the marine environment. This holiday unites in the struggle for the preservation and sustainable use of marine resources, encouraging a conscious attitude to nature and the use of concrete steps to ensure future ecological well-being.
In light of the growing impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the marine environment, it is important to pay attention to the preservation of its resources and ensure the stability of the marine ecosystem balance. The European Maritime Day in Bulgaria acts as a platform for promoting these goals and building long-term strategies for the preservation of marine nature and the use of marine resources. For the successful preservation of the marine environment, coordination of efforts at the international level is necessary. European Maritime Day promotes building partnerships with other countries and international organizations to share experiences, transfer knowledge and work together to ensure the sustainability of the marine environment.
