The first encyclopedia of children's organisations in Bulgaria includes two Burgas benefactors, Alexander Georgiev-Kodzhakafaliyata and Zheni Pateva. Author Georgi Bogdanov presented the book today at the Sea Casino Cultural Centre in Burgas.

A touring exhibition, "150 Years of Children's Organisations in Bulgaria – History, Lessons and the Future", visited the city the same day. The National Network for Children said yesterday that the event would start at 2pm in the Petya Dubarova hall. The network and Burgas council organised the visit.

Where it began: Exhibition on 150 years of children's organizations visits Burgas on 29 October

The "Encyclopedia of Children's Organisations in Bulgaria. Chronicles of a Child Rights Activist" describes 170 organisations. Bogdanov also gave a talk on their history.

Kodzhakafaliyata helped poor people and children in Burgas and gave money to develop the city. He also backed a children's home linked to his name.

Zheni Pateva was a public figure and founded the women's society "Samosaznanie" (Self-Awareness). Its work included charity and a day centre for about 40 children. After 1944, Pateva died in poverty.

Bogdanov says benefactors, women's societies and civic groups built the tradition of helping children. The Union for the Protection of Children in Bulgaria was founded in 1925. In the years that followed, it helped set up children's homes, canteens, and health and education projects. After 1949 the Union was disbanded, and its property and charity funds were nationalised.

After 1989 came a period of stagnation. Later, civic initiatives grew and child protection began to be reformed. Bogdanov pointed to the Child Protection Act, passed in 2000, new social services for children and families, and efforts to change the care of children who grow up in institutions.

The author says civic organisations now work with more than 200,000 children a year. Bogdanov stressed the right to form associations and the role these groups play in public life. He said children's views must be heard when decisions that affect them are made.

"This encyclopedia is also a voice to young people," Bogdanov said. He said future generations need to know history so they understand that the fight for children's rights did not begin today, but builds on the work of many people before them.

"History does not remember insults. History remembers the things we leave behind," the author added.

The exhibition shows children's organisations across different periods and how generations of public figures and activists take over the work from one another. On 30 October it will be in Dimitrovgrad, and in early November it will visit Targovishte, Ruse, Shumen and Veliko Tarnovo. The tour will also cover the following two months.