After a several days’ snow storm, today’s nice clear day allows to continue carrying through the research projects of the National Programme for Polar Studies. For the first time in Antarctica a device was installed for monitoring the fluctuations of the ocean level, which is a qualitative indicator when studying climatic changes. The device is a Mareograph station for round the year monitoring. Photo: BGNES

The young ethnographers from the Youth Center in the town of Haskovo launched a charity bazaar downtown. They sell decorated cornel twigs Bulgarians use in the Survakari good-wishing rituals. The Bulgarian word for these decorated cornel twigs is “Survachka”. The decorations are made of natural materials, wool, dried fruits, pop corn, after an authentic technique. The funds raised will be given for the treatment of four children in the town with severe health problems. Photo: BTA

The ice skating rink in Plovdiv is a preferred place for entertainment during the festive days. The skating area is of 1 700 square meters and the rink disposes of 700 pairs of skates to be rent for those who have none of their own. Photo: BTA

After six years of repair works, the completion of the full restoration of the Bulgarian Church in Istanbul, named after St. Stefan, will finally be a fact by the end of this year. The temple is also known as the Iron Church. Some 40 construction workers and restoration experts from Turkey have made everything possible to return to the temple its initial splendour. The St. Stefan Church will officially open doors on January 7, 2018 (St. Joan’s Day). Next year (2018) the temple will celebrate its 120^th anniversary.  Photo: BTA