European Maritime Day in my country: Via Pontica Foundation marks the initiative with a creative workshop for children in Primorsko

To mark European Maritime Day 2026, the Via Pontica Foundation organised a creative workshop with pupils from the N. Y. Vaptsarov secondary school in Primorsko, devoted to the Black Sea, climate change and the protection of the marine environment.

The event brought pupils, teachers and Foundation representatives together for an open conversation about the importance of marine ecosystems and the part young people play in protecting them. The initiative belongs to the Foundation’s work on environmental education, raising awareness and encouraging children to engage with the blue economy and the sustainable development of the Black Sea region.

During the workshop the pupils learned more about the links between the sea, the climate and human activity, and about the challenges the Black Sea faces today: pollution, marine litter, loss of biodiversity and changing climate conditions. Through discussion and creative work the children were encouraged to share their own ideas for how the sea could be cleaner, healthier and better protected.

With great interest and imagination the pupils produced drawings and artworks inspired by the sea, its inhabitants and life along the shore. Many carried messages about clean nature, protecting the marine environment and taking responsibility for it. The workshop became not only a creative activity but also a chance for the children to express how they feel about the future of the Black Sea.

The drawings made during the initiative will be displayed in the school building, where pupils, parents and visitors will be able to see them over the coming weeks. In this way the children’s messages will reach a wider audience and serve as a reminder of how important it is to build environmental awareness from an early age.

The Via Pontica Foundation stressed that working with children and young people is a key part of building a more responsible attitude towards nature and the marine environment. The team believes that young people can be the drivers of positive change and important ambassadors for a sustainable future for the Black Sea.

With this initiative in Primorsko the Via Pontica Foundation once again joined the celebration of European Maritime Day, which promotes a better understanding of what seas and oceans mean for society, the economy and nature.