This year, the Via Pontica Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of active work dedicated to promoting environmental awareness, cultural heritage, and sustainable development along the Black Sea coast.
With the kind support of the Marinka Village Hall, on October 27, in front of its building, the photo exhibition “Reflections on the Sea” by renowned Burgas photographer Hristo Anestev was officially opened. The event was organized by the Via Pontica Foundation with the support of Community Centre “Marinka 2024” and is part of the foundation’s long-term initiative to raise public engagement in protecting the marine and coastal ecosystem.
The exhibition presents an impressive series of photographs taken along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, capturing the power, beauty, and fragility of the sea. Through Hristo Anestev’s lens, the sea comes to life as a symbol of human conscience – majestic yet vulnerable. Each photograph offers a poetic perspective on the shores, the waves, and the people for whom the sea is a way of life, a source of inspiration, and a shared responsibility.
Over the next two weeks, residents and visitors of Marinka will be able to enjoy the inspiring images displayed outdoors in front of the Village Hall – a symbolic invitation to reflect on our connection with nature and our duty to protect it.
“Through this exhibition, we want to inspire people to think about the beauty and fragility of the sea – it is not only a source of inspiration but also a living organism that needs our care,” shared the organizers.
The exhibition is part of the Via Pontica Foundation’s broader efforts to promote educational and cultural initiatives related to the blue economy and the sustainable development of the Black Sea region, fostering love and responsibility toward nature among young people through the power of art.
Following the official opening, a creative workshop was held with students from Hristo Botev Primary School in Marinka, led by Prof. Pepa Miteva. The workshop focused on marine ecosystem conservation and the role of art as a tool for environmental education. The young participants had the opportunity to paint the sea as they dream of seeing it – clean, calm, and full of life. Their artworks will be exhibited in the school building and will remain open to visitors over the coming weeks.
Video reportage from the event can be seen here.
The events are co-financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
