City Seed Festival – Fifth Edition

Author(s): Растителна защита
Date: 27.03.2026      325

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On March 28, the "Mechtalishte" community center in Sofia will host the fifth edition of the City Seed Festival. The event, which traditionally brings together experts and enthusiasts in one place, aims to inspire, spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture, and build bridges between science, practice, and the community.

This year's edition focuses on adaptation to climate change, biodynamic practices, and biodiversity conservation through seed sharing. The program includes lectures and discussions on the following topics:

1. Adaptation and Partnership with Nature

Lecturer: Natasha Marinova (author of "Permaculture Calendar for Bulgaria" and creator of the "Vitosha" organic garden)

Topic: How to grow resilient plants without fighting nature. Natasha will present Joseph Lofthouse's method for creating locally adapted populations (more resilient to drought, cold, and diseases) and will share results from her 4-year experiment with sweet corn.

2. Where Do the Seeds of the Future Come From?

Lecturer: Joran from Joran's Seeds and Research, France (virtual participation)

Topic: Meet the modern "Indiana Jones" of seeds! He will talk about his expeditions in search of wild relatives of vegetables and the creation of impressive collections of perennial onions, cold-hardy tomatoes, corn, and peanuts adapted to extreme conditions.

3. Two Stories of Seeds, Gardens, and Paths Back to the Land

Lecturers: Delyana Nikolova and Katrin Tsanev

Topic: Two farmers, coming from the worlds of art and international organizations, share their experience in permaculture farming. A story about the slow rhythm of the seasons, the challenges, growing food as a creative process, and the symbiosis between flowers, crops, and bees.

4. Science, Seeds, and Art

Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Tsvetanka Dincheva ("Maritsa" Vegetable Crops Institute)

Topic: A look at the scientific basis of organic agriculture. Assoc. Prof. Dincheva will discuss how organic seeds are created, what the challenges are for organic seed production today, and what regulations limit their widespread use.

5. The Farm as a Living Organism

Lecturer: Mimi Naydenova (agronomist and the only licensed Demeter consultant in Bulgaria)

Topic: A deep dive into biodynamic agriculture. How biodynamic preparations are made and applied, and how they affect the soil, plants, and the quality of our food.

6. A Garden with Less Effort – Is It Possible?

Lecturer: Veselin Spasov

Topic: Regenerative agriculture (No-till) on a small scale. How to maintain a garden with less digging and watering, but with healthier and more living soil, so that processes start to work "on their own".

7. The Living Network of "Flower Mail"

Lecturer: Tsvetelina (Tsveti) Ilieva

Topic: The story of an initiative through which thousands of hand-collected seed packets pass each year. A tale of the quiet but strong connection between strangers united by sharing seeds and caring for nature.

Don't forget: The festival will traditionally end with a seed swap! Bring your own to become part of the living network.

  • When: March 28, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
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