To mark World Wetlands Day on February 2nd, the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation is organizing a student competition titled "The Wisdom of Wetlands," dedicated to the cultural and natural value of the Burgas Lakes. The global theme for this year is "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage."

The competition aims to encourage students to explore and preserve the living heritage associated with wetlands—through personal stories, traditional knowledge, and intergenerational exchange. It is open to students aged 10 to 18 from schools in the Burgas region. Participants may enter individually or as a team (up to 3 students), with the support of a teacher or parent.

Students are invited to research and present stories related to life around the Burgas Lakes through:

interviews with older relatives, salt workers, fishermen, ornithologists, or others connected to the lakes;
accounts of traditional activities such as salt extraction, sustainable fishing, or reed-based crafts;
folk beliefs, customs, and recipes associated with the water and the lakes;
personal impressions and family stories linked to Lake Vaya, Lake Mandra, and Lake Atanasovsko.
Entries may be submitted in the following formats:
1. an interview (up to 2 pages) accompanied by a photograph of the interviewee and the interviewer;
2. an essay or short story (up to 2 pages);
3. a drawing or illustration. 4. Photograph
5. Short video (up to 2 minutes).

Students must submit their contest entries to saltoflife@biodiversity.bg. Drawings and art projects should be photographed or scanned (please retain the originals for the exhibition of winning entries). Written pieces (interviews, essays, stories) should be submitted in Word or PDF format; photographs in JPG format; and videos in MP4 or MOV format. The submission deadline is February 2, 2026.

A special jury—which will include representatives from the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIOSV) – Burgas—will evaluate the entries and announce the results on February 16, 2026.

The most inspiring works will be selected for inclusion in a joint exhibition, to be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, along the Avocet Trail (at South Atanasovsko Lake). The event will be attended by students, teachers, representatives from various institutions, and the media.