The AgroBioInstitute (ABI, SAA), together with the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University and the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Shumen University, is organizing the 5th international “Fascination of Plants Day” 2019, under the auspices of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO ‐ www.epsoweb.org), Brussels. The role of plants and the importance of plant science for agriculture, for sustainable food production, for forestry and for the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals will be a key message of the upcoming event. The „Fascination of Plants Day” will take place on 18.05.2019 from 11:00 to 17:00, in the foyer of the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University, 1st floor and courtyard, at the address: Sofia, 8 “Dragan Tsankov” Blvd.
Plants are fascinating
From a small seed planted in the soil, many green plants grow – from small herbs to large trees, or from ornamental flowers to important crops that all animals and humans need in order to survive on this planet. Plant biologists estimate that the total number of plant species is approximately 250,000, which is an enormous figure proving that plant sciences are essential for the social and environmental setting of the present and the future.
Fascination of Plants Day
aims to attract as many people as possible, fascinated by plants and inspired by the importance of plant science.
The „Fascination of Plants Day” will include various activities for children and adolescents, such as a corner for making appliqués, planting flowers and seeds of different plants, exhibitions of photos, drawings and a collection of colorful ornamental plants, as well as visits to the herbarium and the Genomic Center of the Faculty of Biology. Illustrative presentations, posters and experimental setups will present information on various topics related to plants and their importance. The celebration of plants will be supported by a number of events in public spaces, theatres, cafés, central squares and parks, intended to make everyone realize the importance of plants. At the end of the day, prizes will be awarded to the winners in the different competitions, selected by voting on the event’s Facebook page.
The „Fascination of Plants Day” will take place on 18.05.2019 from 11:00 to 17:00, in the foyer of the Faculty of Biology at the address: Sofia, 8 “Dragan Tsankov” Blvd.
This year Shumen University „Episkop Konstantin Preslavski” marked the Fifth International Fascination of Plants Day on 16 May 2019 with a programme under the motto „No one is greater than bread“. Lecturers, students and guests of the university took part in the scientific seminar related to the history, present and future of grain production in Bulgaria.
PROGRAMME – 18 May 2019 in Sofia
11:00 – OPENING by the Director of ABI, Prof. D. Djilianov, and the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Assoc. Prof. S. Shishkov
11:00-17:00 – PLANTS AS FOOD FOR HUMANS AND ANIMALS – PRESENTATIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND POSTERS, EXHIBITION OF DRAWINGS FROM THE COMPETITIONS
14:00 – Award ceremony for the winners of the national essay competition „The plant I cannot live without“, organized by the Plant Biotechnology Information Center – ABI
15:00 – Award ceremony for the participants and winners in the competitions for the „Fascination of Plants Day“
1. Plants – an object of artistic inspiration – paintings by the artist Savina Mantovska
2. Use of jellyfish protein for experiments – Biotechnology Club of the American College under the supervision of Dr. Ginka Dineva; Department of General and Industrial Microbiology (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
3. 3D technologies for lights to improve plant growth – Ognyan Trayanov, student at the American College; Department of Plant Physiology (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
4. A light recipe to improve plant growth – Ivet Dimitrova and Ivo Yordanov, students at the American College; Department of Plant Physiology (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
5. Gluten-free diet – myth or science – Alexandra Atanasova; Department of Biochemistry (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
6. Plants love fish – what is aquaculture? – Aleksandar Tomov and Vasil Chavgov, Department of Plant Physiology (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
7. How are medicinal plants studied? – Desislava Mantovska, Department of Biochemistry (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
8. Did you know that plants have hormones? – Department of Plant Physiology (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
9. An idea for environmentally friendly floriculture – Department of Plant Physiology (Faculty of Biology, Sofia University).
10. Student Club SKORETS – presentation and demonstration by biology students
11. Planting seeds of different plants – courtyard of the Faculty of Biology (AgroBioInstitute)
12. What do animals eat – demonstration samples of feed and seeds (AgroBioInstitute)
11:15-16:00 – INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
• 11:15-16:00 – ART workshop for children – appliqués, drawings and greeting cards (AgroBioInstitute)
11:00-17:00 – ALL-DAY EXHIBITIONS
• Exhibition and bazaar of ornamental plants – Institute of Floriculture, Negovan
• Exhibition of drawings and essays from the competition “Plants as food for humans and animals”
• Video wall with presentations and photos from the competition “Plants as food for humans and animals”
17:00 – CLOSING
