Karina Tsacheva and Niya Merandzhieva from the Center for Personal Development – Burgas won JAL awards from the Japan Foundation and the Bulgarian Haiku Union. They received their certificates and prizes on 26 September 2026 at the Sofia Hall of the Sofia City Library during the 37th Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria.
An international jury chose 25 Bulgarian students. 303 participants from Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Ruse, Kyustendil, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, Svilengrad, Kardzhali and other cities entered the competition.
Dilyana Georgieva, chair of the Bulgarian Haiku Union, said the jury was impressed by the children's creativity. Judges looked for a good balance between the haiku poem and the drawing, as well as the use of seasonal words.
Japan's ambassador to Bulgaria, Sumi, and Third Secretary Hashiguchi attended the event. Ambassador Sumi handed out the certificates, and all winning children received prizes from the JAL Foundation and the Bulgarian Haiku Union. An exhibition of the works opened during the event, featuring flower arrangements from the Soga Ikebana Club and ceramic vases by Assoc. Prof. Vasil Harizanov from the National Academy of Arts.