Children to parade in sea-creature costumes at Burgas eco-carnival on Thursday

Children from schools and kindergartens will march in sea-animal costumes at the annual "Sea Creatures" Eco-Carnival in Burgas on Thursday, 29 October, from 2.30pm.

The event will be held this year in the main hall of the College of Tourism, not outdoors along the usual route, because the organisers expect bad weather.

The Célestin Freinet private primary school, a member of the international Eco-Schools network, runs the carnival. Burgas council is a partner. Teachers and parents will also take part.

The costumes show sea animals and fantasy creatures. Most are made mainly from reused materials, which lets the children show how thrown-away items can get a second life. Each costume carries a message: a cleaner sea, less waste and more care for nature.

The brass band of the Petko R. Slaveykov primary school in Burgas will also play at the carnival.

The school has taught children about the environment for years, with a focus on creative work, hands-on activities and learning by experience. The carnival is part of that work. To prepare, the children learn about the Black Sea's wildlife, the threats to sea animals and the sensible use of natural resources.

The organisers say the carnival is both a show and a lesson in ecology. They say that when different schools and kindergartens join in, it becomes a shared celebration and shows that caring for nature starts at an early age. They invite residents and visitors in Burgas to support the children as ambassadors for a clean and living Black Sea for future generations.

The date was chosen for International Black Sea Day on 31 October. On that day in 1996, the Black Sea countries signed the Strategic Action Plan for the Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea. It is the basis of their joint efforts to protect the marine environment.