Programme

programme map

03.08.08

During that day right after their arrival in Sofia the participants will be welcome by the organizers and will be accommodated in the hotel. They will have the chance to take a rest from the long road and after that they can try the traditional Bulgarian cooking and also to delight our folklore wealth.

• Arrival and accommodation of the participants
• 20.30 Welcome dinner

04.08.08

The next day the participants will be registered and the 36-th International Forestry Students’ Symposium will be officially opened. Then follow welcome speeches by the President of Republic of Bulgaria – Mr. George Purvanov, professor Bozhidar Dimitrov (Director National History Museum), Assoc. Prof. Stephen Yurukov (Head of the State Forestry Agency), Prof. Nino Ninov (Rector of the University of Forestry), IFSA’s President Sylvain Dupire, professor Dimitur Kolarov (President of Union of foresters in Bulgaria) and a representative of the Organizing committee of the 36-th International Forestry Students' Symposium. The same day a part of the lectures concerning the problems about the conservation and management of natural resources will be delivered by Bulgarian and international scientists. The day ends with the first from fifth General Assemblies (GA1). In the afternoon, during the sight-seeing walk through Sofia, the participants will be able to get to know closely the capital of Bulgaria and its cultural and historical sites. Follow an official dinner in the typical Bulgarian spirit.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 10.00 Registration of the participants
• 10.00 – 12.00 Opening of the Symposium by the official guests – the President of Republic of Bulgaria – Mr. George Purvanov, professor Bozhidar Dimitrov (Director National History Museum), associate professor Stefan Yurukov (President of the State Forest Agency), professor Nino Ninov (Rector of the University of Forestry), Sylvain Dupire from France (IFSA President 2007/08), professor Dimitur Kolarov (President of Union of foresters in Bulgaria) and a representative of the Organizing committee of the 36-th International Forestry Students' Symposium. Folklore program and short walk in the hall of National History Museum.
• 12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
• 13.00 – 14.00 Lectures by Bulgarian and international scientists regarding the problems of conservation and managing of the natural resources.
• 14.00 – 14.30 IFSA presentation
• 14.30 – 14.40 Coffee break
• 14.40 – 18.40 First General Assembly (GA1)
• 18.40 – 21.30 A sight-seeing walk in Sofia and examining of the cultural and historical sights
• 21.30 Official dinner

05.08.08

On the third day the session of lectures and reports continues and after it the second General Assembly will be lead (GA2). Follow after the Assembly a dinner.

• 7.30 – 8.30 Breakfast
• 8.30 – 10.30 Lectures and reports
• 10.30 – 10.45 Coffee break
• 10.45 – 12.15 Lectures and reports
• 12.15 – 13.15 Lunch
• 13.15 – 15.15 Lectures and reports
• 15.15 – 15.30 Coffee break
• 15.30 – 17.00 Lectures and reports
• 17.00 – 20.30 Implementation of the second General Assembly (GA2)
• 20.30 Dinner

06.08.08

On the fourth day a visit to the State Game Station – Iskar, will be provided, and after that the group will set for one of the most beautiful mountains in Bulgaria and also the highest on the Balkan peninsula – Rila. The participants will settle in country houses "Strawberries, Raspberries" hut where they will have the opportunity to rest and delight the tranquility of the mountain.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 10.30 Arrival of the participants at country houses "Strawberries, Raspberries"
• 10.30 – 11.30 Accommodation in the houses
• 11.30 – 13.30 A trip to State Game Reserve "Iskar"
• 13.30 – 15.30 Field lunch (Picnic)
• 15.30 – 17.30 Get familiar with the methods of shooting and horse riding
• 17.30 – 20.30 Game stalking and feeding complex
• 20.30 – 21.30 Free time Departure to mountain resort Borovets in Rila mountain
• 21.30 Dinner

07.08.08

The fifth day of the meeting starts with a presentation for Rila National Park and so the participants will learn more about the main conservation purposes and the history of the biggest park in Bulgaria. After that they will have the chance to become familiar closely of its unique natural beauties during a trekking in the region of the Rila National Park. Follow a visit of the Rila monastery, famous for its beautiful nature, architecture and more than ten century old history. In the end of the day, after the examination of the monastery, follow a departure for Undola and settling in the base of the University of Forestry.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 13.30 Walk and presentation in the region of Rila National park
• 13.30 – 15.00 Traveling to Rila monastery Natural Park
• 15.00 – 16.00 Field lunch (Picnic)
• 16.00 – 17.30 Visitation and presentation of the Rila monastery Natural Park and Genetic stands on the territory of the park
• 17.30 – 21.00 Traveling to the Educational-Experimental Forestry Enterprise of the University of Forestry in Yundola and accommodation
• 21.00 Dinner

08.08.08

In the morning the participants will leave for Bansko – a famous mountain town-resort that takes place at the foot of Pirin. After their arriving in the hut Vihren a presentation about Pirin National Park will be present and after it a trekking to the highest peak of the mountain and second in height in Bulgaria – Vihren, 2914 m alt. will be taken. Then all participants get back to Bansko and from there they will departure back to Undola.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 11.00 Workshops
• 11.00 – 14.00 Departure to Bansko. Traveling by bus to Vihren hut. Presentation of Pirin National Park.
• 14.00 – 14.30 Field lunch (Picnic) around the hut
• 14.30 – 20.30 Trekking to Vihren peak (Not obligatory). For the rest of the participants there is a walk to the lakes around the hut, visiting of the Baikusheva Mura tree (Pinus heldreichii) – the oldest tree in Bulgaria and free time.
• 20.00 – 23.30 Returning back to Bansko, dinner and sight-seeing of the town-resort.
• 23.30 Traveling back to Yundola

09.08.08

On the sixth day the country participants will have the chance to deliver their presentations connected with the separate scientific areas and the topic of the symposium. In the afternoon the third General Assembly (GA3) will be hold. After it, at participants will, follows a visit of the beautiful mountain town Belica which is situated in the south part of Rila. Along the town, on 1200 m alt., takes place the park for re-adaptation and recovery for dancing bears of the Four Paws Animal Rights Foundation which is financially supported by Brigitte Bardot. From Belica the delegation turns back to Undola.

• 8.00 – 9.00 Breakfast
• 9.00 – 12.00 Participants presentations and country reports
• 12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
• 13.00 – 16.30 Third General Assembly (GA3)
• 16.30 – 21.30 Visiting of Belitza town and the centre of “Four Paws” foundation for re-adaptation and rehabilitation of dancing bears. (Not obligatory, for the others free time).
• 21.30 Returning back to Yundola and dinner

10.08.08

In the morning a trip to Melnik is organized – a town known by its unique rocky forms, landmarks and one of the biggest problems for the human kind - the erosion. After sightseeing the smallest town in Europe all the participants will turn back to Undola. The day ends with an International dinner on which each country represents a part of its popular customs and culture.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 12.30 Trip to Melnik town.
• 12.30 – 16.00 Sight-seeing of the Rozhen monastery, lunch in the same named village, trekking to Melnik and sight-seeing of the smallest town in Europe. Visitation of erosion regions.
• 16.00 – 20.00 Return to Yundola.
• 21.00 International dinner.

11.08.08

A trip to the region of Trigrad, situated in the West Rhodopes and well-known by its numerous archeological finds and natural sights. A walk along the Trigrad’s gorge is planned and also a visit to the caves Devil’s throat or Jagodina. After the walk follow a departure to the region of Studen Kladenets dam where the participants will have a rest and will make a camp, gives them incredible emotions of the direct closeness to the Nature.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 12.30 Trip to the region of Trigrad
• 12.30 – 14.00 Walk to the Trigrad’s gorge and visitation of the Devil’s throat cave.
• 14.00 – 15.30 Lunch in Shiroka luka and sight-seeing of the ethnographic village.
• 15.30 – 17.30 Traveling to the “Soskovcheto” reserve and trekking through the Valley of the waterfalls.
• 17.30 – 21.00 Traveling to Studen kladenetz dam and settling a tent camp.
• 21.00 Dinner.

12.08.08

This day is fixed for a walk in the area around Studen Kladenets. Introduction about the way of managing the Bulgarian forests and game will be presented. Observations over the largest vulture population from the three species spread in Bulgaria. In the evening the fourth General Assembly (GA4) will be hold. Follow a dinner around the camping fire with the fascination of the Rhodopean songs and the bagpipe.

• 6.30 – 7.00 Breakfast
• 7.00 – 11.00 A walk in the region of Studen Kladenetz (with boats) and introduction with the way of managing of the Bulgarian forests and game. Introducing the Union of Hunters and Anglers in Bulgaria. Observation of the largest vulture population from all of the three species encountered in Bulgaria. (The delegation will be separate on groups, as in the afternoon the groups will change the tours. The activities are not obligatory for the day; the rest of the participants have free time)
• 11.00 – 12.30 During the day are pointed Commission workshop
• 12.20 – 14.00 Lunch and free time
• 14.00 – 17.00 Forth General Assembly (GA4)
• 17.00 – 21.00 Tour change of the participants
• 21.00 Dinner around the camp fire with bagpipes.

13.08.08

The delegation departures for the biggest Natural park in Bulgaria – Strandzha, known by its longose forests and rich flora and fauna. Follows a lection about the park and how the balance with the tourism development and the conservation of the environment has been achieved in this area. In the evening guests will get lost in the magic of the fire-dancing.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 12.30 Traveling to Strandzha Natural Park and accommodation in guest houses
• 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Malko Turnovo
• 13.30 – 14.00 Traveling to Brashlian village, accommodation in guest houses
• 14.00 – 18.00 Walk in the region and presentation for the park
• 18.00 – 20.30 Free time
• 20.30 Dinner with a folklore program - fire dances

14.08.08

Departure to the sea resort Ravda where a lecture for the Bulgarian Black sea coast will be presented – problems, owners and methods for protection of the few rest wild places after which the participants will have the opportunity to have fun the sea sun and waves all day long.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 9.30 Ropotamo river
• 9.30 – 11.00 Tour with boat
• 11.00 – 13.00 Departure to camping Aheloj and accommodation in bungalows
• 13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
• 14.00 – 00.30 Free time on the beach, Change over of IFSA officials, Sight seeing of the old town Nesebar, Dinner

15.08.08

In the morning the delegation will depart towards one of the oldest Bulgarian towns – Veliko Turnovo. A presentation for Central Balkan National Park will be making and the participants will get acquainted with the century-old history of the region. Follow a walk and free time till the end of the day.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 13.30 Traveling to Triavna with visitation the Madarski konnik (Madara rider)
• 13.30 – 14.30 Lunch in Triavna
• 14.30 – 15.00 Presentation for the Central Balkan National Park.
• 15.00 – 16.00 Traveling to Veliko Turnovo
• 16.00 – 22.00 Accommodation, visiting the fortress Carevets and free time
• 22.00 – 22.15 A sound and light show
• 22.15 Dinner

16.08.08

Departure for the base of University of Forestry in the Training and Experimental Forest Ground situated in Barzia village. A brief survey for the development of Bulgarian silviculture education will be made and some presentations for sustainable management of the forests in the region. Return to Sofia and implementation of the fifth General Assembly (GA5) before the official closing of the meeting.

• 7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast
• 8.15 – 12.30 Traveling to Educational-Experimental Forestry Enterprise of the University of Forestry in Barzia village.
• 12.30 – 13.30 Lunch
• 13.30 – 15.00 Short presentations for sustainable managing of the forests in the region and a visitation of the cultivated areas with Pseudotsuga species
• 15.00 – 18.00 Fifth General Assembly (GA5)
• 18.00 – 18.30 Closing ceremony
• 18.30 – 21.00 Return to Sofia and accommodation
• 21.00 Dinner

17.08.08

Farewell with the participants and so ends the program of the Symposium.