Citizens of Sliven Took Part in an International Conference in the city of Pech

The Town Library of Pech /Hungary/ organized an International conference on topic: „For Our Environment” from 26 to 29 of August 2008. Scientific workers from the University of Pech, representatives of foundations, dealing with the problems of protection of nature, Dr. Josef Ferling – a founder of The Green Conception Order of Knighthood – helping children in environmental education, library specialists from Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria, pedagogues and young people from di9fferent ecological organizations took part in the conference. Mrs Rositsa Petrova – directress of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library –Sliven took part in the conference as a Bulgarian representative.

The forum was organized with the support of the City Council of Pech and Mecsek Forestry Ltd. And it is a part of the programme „Pech- cultural capital of Europe, 2010”

Reports, related to the global changes in nature and the possibilities for limiting the world ecological crisis were presented at the conference, different concepts for the environment were discussed as they were focused on the humanistic comprehension of the problems of environment, as problems for preserving life on Earth, without stopping the development and progress of the society.

The second day of the conference was dedicated on the role of the libraries for supporting the process of environmental education. As a leading speaker Mrs. Rositsa Petrova read a report on topic „Culture – environment – people. Libraries for environmental education”. The basic goals of the libraries for forming and development of culture of environment and establishing sustain life of young people were presented in the report. The good experience of Bulgarian libraries in this field was presented. Other speakers were Andrea Bojhich – a chairwoman of the Society of Croatian librarians for Slavonia and Baranya regions and Dr. Haynalka Sobolchine– head of children’s department in the Town Library of Pech.

A visit of Mecsek Forestry Ltd. Was organized for the participants in the conference”. There they get to know the educational program for children of the “Forest school”. The program was presented by Mr. József Káldy – head manager of Mecsek Forestry Ltd. The participants in the conference had the chance to look around the forest school, the exhibitions of children’s drawings and toys, made by natural materials, herb demonstrations and animals, paths and methods of training children in nature. The visit ended with a surprise – Hunting-horn music performance of „Horn” band – Baranya around a big camp-fire. Under the clear starry sky the guests enjoyed the perfect performance of horns and different signals, related to hunting.

On the next day a visit of Puhner castle was organized for the guests of the conference and also a participation in the ceremony for of creating knights of The Green Conception Order of Knighthood for 2008.

The Puchner castle, famous for the „castle in the heart of Europe”, is entirely restored and it is opened to the public, tourists and guests since 1995. They started to build it in 1840 and finished it in 1898. It is located on a big area and includes several buildings and a large park. The castle was built by baron Antal Puhner– famous for his military career during the time of Napoleon wars.

The ceremony for creating knights of “The Green Conception Order of Knighthood” was held in a solemn atmosphere, in the castle’s park and it was lead personally by Dr Josef Ferling. Four new knights of the order were created– for their services rendered to children’s environmental education. This ceremony was held for the eight year in a row and it becomes more and more popular not only in Hungary but all over the world.

The conference ended with a walk through the castle and presenting the opportunities for training children in nature protecting activities by returning to the traditions of their ancestors.

During her visit in Pech Mrs. Rositsa Petrova had several meetings with Mr. Tibor Honda– vice-mayor of the town of Pech and Mr. Josef Pola – director of „Education and culture” department of the City Council. Opportunities for mutual activities of the libraries of Sliven and Pech were discussed for 2009 and 2010, which may be included in the programme „Pech – cultural capital of Europe, 2010”.