On the 24th of May Europe celebrated Park Day, proclaimed by EUROPARC, the European Federation of National and Natural Parks. It was on this day in 1909 that the first nine national parks in Europe were established in Sweden. 

As one of the biggest national holidays in Bulgaria - the Day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius - falls on May 24, the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water declared May 28 as Parks Day in Bulgaria. "This is an opportunity to fully celebrate the importance of natural and national parks without overlapping with the celebrations of the Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture," the ministry said. To mark the day, parks across the country are organising various events to promote Bulgaria's natural heritage among children.

The country is proud of its three national parks - Rila, Pirin and Central Balkan - and its 11 nature parks - Belasitsa, Bulgarka, Vitosha, Vrachanski Balkan, Golden Sands, Persina, Rila Monastery, Rusenski Lom, Sini Kamani, Strandja and Shumensko Plateau.