International Day for the Protection of Children

Children's DayInternational Children’s Day has its own traditions in Bulgaria. They were connected with the case of Lyudmila Zhivkova (Chairman of the Committee of Culture of the country until her death in 1981, daughter of General Secretary of the BCP Todor Zhivkov).

On her initiative, in 1979, the first International Children’s Assembly “Banner of Peace” was organized, which was designed to unite the efforts of all children of the planet for peace in the world. The Assembly held its work under the slogan “Unity, Creativity, Beauty”.

The Banner of Peace monument was erected in the vicinity of Sofia, where the ringing of bells from 100 countries of the world every year on June 1 gathered young guests from near and far countries. Children of the planet participated in drawing competitions on asphalt, games, competitions, concerts of young talents were held. The guests got acquainted with Bulgaria, went on excursions around the country, got acquainted with each other.

After the death of the founder of the Assembly, meetings were held for several more years, but gradually the fervor disappeared, and after 1989 it completely died down. A few years ago, the daughter of Lyudmila Zhivkova, Evgenia Zhivkova, began to make efforts to revive the tradition.