Bulgaria marks World Water Day

published on 3/22/12 12:55 PM

Photo: Архив

On March 22, we mark the World Day of Water - the lifeblood without which not a single living organism on the planet would be able to survive. The marking of this day was proposed 20 years ago at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aim is to raise awareness to the problems of over 1 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean and safe drinking water. The observance of this day in Bulgaria is organized by the Bulgarian Association "I Love Water" in partnership with the National Sports Academy and Sofia Municipality. This year's World Water Day is marked for the first time with an International Water Bridge, which received official support from members of the European Parliament and of the Bulgarian EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.

Antoanetta Salfidge, chairperson of the Association "I Love Water", tells Radio Bulgaria more: "Bulgaria has long observed the day of water in different parts of the country. So we decided to gather all celebrations in this bridge, and also to initiate new ones that would help us feel togetherness. I dare say that we have been quite successful in this first forum. In addition to Sofia Municipality, which is hosting the event, we have attracted five other cities to participate. These are Blagoevgrad, Pleven, Varna, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora. In these cities, mayors, heads of water supply directorates and experts at different levels are involved. This forum has a very important goal. We have decided to set up a youth movement called Blue Cluster. Anyone who loves the water and nature can be a member. For this purpose it is sufficient to adopt a code of ethics. We are talking about a charter for a healthy lifestyle which students from the National Sports Academy wrote. And anyone who wants to participate must sign it. For over a hundred people are already members of this movement. Many celebrities support the Blue cluster and accepted the nominations as ambassador, Chevalier and lecturer of the movement. Among them are the MEP Kristian Vigenin, mayors, university rectors and professors, etc."

Data of the association "I Love Water" reveals that Bulgaria ranks fourth in the world and second in Europe in terms of the variety and quantity of natural mineral springs in its territory. Many of them have healing properties thanks to their mineral content. Not surprisingly, the central Sofia bath, a historical landmark downtown the Bulgarian capital, has been selected as the center of celebrations marking World Water Day here.

"This is an outstanding symbol of Sofia and Bulgaria”, Antoanetta Salfij goes on to say. “As chairperson of this association, I have been talking for years what distinguises our capital from any other European capital is the water we have. Sofia is one of the oldest European cities because of the presence of mineral springs here. The city has more than 40 mineral springs with seven different types of water. We will organize a round-table discussion in the Sofia central bath with a very interesting presentation of these thermal springs. I insisted on choosing this venue because after the liberation from the Ottoman Dominatin in 1878 and the revival of the Bulgarian state, one of the first things that municipal officials at the time undertook was to devise a strategy for the development of mineral waters in Bulgaria. The construction of the central bath began in 1891 and continued 20 years. This actually marked the beginning of the Bulgarian balneology and spa treatment. That is why we think this place is a symbol that should be promoted and used in such campaigns."

The celebration hosted by the Sofia central bath will also feature a children's laboratory for water analysis. And more: painting on silk and water, lots of dancing, yoga exercises in water, advice on healthy weight loss through water and sound therapy. Throughout the country, numerous youth initiatives have been organized to mark the global day for water and many of them can be seen in real time on the special website www.waterbridge.info.