On Earth Day, the sixth edition of Vanya Ivanova’s “Heart in Green” ecological action was celebrated in Pazardzhik, during which saplings of Japanese cherry trees were planted in Stadium Park. With the planting of Japanese cherry trees in the “Stadium” park, the number of trees has already increased to 57. Over the six years of the campaign, over 80 trees have been planted in Pazardzhik and they are cared for year-round. In addition to Stadium Park, they decorate the courtyard of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Hristo Botev Blvd., and other places.
The event, organized by publicist Vanya Ivanova, known for her green initiatives with a focus on children, was supported by the Pazardzhik Municipality and gathered over 200 children and many official guests. Among them were the adviser and deputy head of the Japanese Embassy Takayuki Shinozawa and the cultural attache Kento Muraki, the mayor Petar Kulenski, the vicar of the bishop Father Boyan, the chief expert in RIOSV-Pazardzhik Tsvetanka Chocheva, German guests from the “Ursulinenschule” high school from Fritzlar, Germany , students from Belovo, Septemvri, Zvanichevo, Peshtera, Pazardzhik, several kindergartens, children from the Municipal Children’s Complex-Pazardzhik – Sports Club and street dance “Diamond”, representative formation “Voices of Orpheus” and others.
The initiative marked the laying of foundations for cooperation between Pazardzhik and Japan through cultural exchange and a broad overview of educational and economic cooperation.
“I am happy to come to this beautiful city rich in its historical heritage for the first time. I want to thank you for the invitation and the efforts you have made. Sakura cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan. I want to thank you for planting cherry trees here in Pazardzhik for the 6th time as part of the “Green Heart” cause. And I will be grateful if planting the trees together with the children, who are our future leaders, will give them the opportunity to learn more about the culture of Japan,” Takayuki Shinozawa, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan, told the participants. “Our two countries are an example of cordial relations – I believe that today’s event will contribute to their further development. I thank the people of Pazardzhik, I wish you all to take care of enriching the bilateral relations between our two countries,” added Shinozawa, pointing out that this year marks 115 years since the first official contacts between Japan and Bulgaria, 85 years since the establishment of the first diplomatic relations and 65 years since their resumption.
“It is an honor for me to be here, where we are laying the foundations of Pazardzhik’s cultural exchange with Japan. It is important for us that they know that in the person of Pazardzhik Japan there is a friend and this is the basis of many subsequent events”, said Mayor Petar Kulenski in his speech.
* Press center of Pazardzhik Municipality
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