“Join the campaign – clean up and read” – this is the appeal of the Greenwich Book Center and ECOPACK Bulgaria. Those are the organizers of the Old Paper for New Book campaign’s 6^th edition in a row – this year in Burgas, Haskovo, Sofia, Ruse, Pleven and Plovdiv. The municipality and municipal library are partners of the campaign in each city, while in Sofia the event comes as part of the municipality’s cultural calendar under the auspices of Mayor Yordanka Fandakova.

“We will try to contribute to the environmental culture of the children, as we believe that the earlier they realize the importance of recycling and waste sorting, the better for them,” says Siana Kolibarova, the campaign’s coordinator. “At the same time we have to encourage children to read, as maybe waste sorting and reading will make us better people.”

The campaign’s rules are clear and easy: kids, accompanied by an adult give in 5 kg of old paper for recycling and receive a new children’s book of their choice in exchange, provided by 11 of Bulgaria’s largest publishing houses. Siana Kolibarova points out that no matter the exceeding of the 5 kg, the book will be only one. However, additional 5 kg will bring a bonus – the Green Teen special edition of ECOPACK Bulgaria. The coordinator says that any type of paper will be accepted – newspapers, magazines, old printer paper, cardboard etc.

As far as the books are concerned, here is what Siana Kolibarova comments:

“There are various titles, for all ages and those will be plenty. We always provide titles which will leave no kid disappointed due to the lack of choice. So, there are books for the smallest kids that are for drawing, but there are also more serious books, for bigger children.”

The important thing to remember here is that those children willing to receive a book, should come in person:

“Parents come often and say that the child has remained at home - or grandparents, eager to take a book for their grandchildren arrive and that is great,” Siana Kolibarova says. “However, we would like to see the child itself going through this day and living it, realizing and comprehending the idea. That is why we want the child to come on its own, accompanied by a parent to give in the paper and then to go to that stand with the books exposed and to select the title itself.”

A cultural program will accompany the event in each city with the participation of local vocal bands and formations. “This is yet another opportunity to give our kids a chance to show their talents. There will be a puppet show travelling with us in each city and special plays for the children will be staged,” Siana Kolibarova goes on to say. There will be also lots of contests, quizzes and games, where all the participants will be able to win additional books and rewards, provided by donors and partners. Of course, one can expect lots of songs, dances and fun.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev

Photos: library

Schedules of the event:

Burgas – Sept. 8, 10am – 2pm at Primorski Park, in front of Pantheon

Haskovo – Sept. 9, 10am – 2pm onstage in Svoboda Square

Sofia – Sept. 16, 10:00am – 7pm on 37 Vitosha Blvd. in front of Greenwich Book Center

Ruse – Sept. 23, 10am – 2pm in Svoboda Square in front of the Palace of Justice

Pleven – Sept. 24, 10am – 2pm in Vazrazhdane Square in front of the municipality’s building

Plovdiv – Sept. 29, 10am – 2pm in Stefan Stambolov Square in front of the municipality’s building