The International Day of Peace in Vratza, Bulgaria
Tzvetan Naydenov teaches at Hristo Botev Secondary School in Vratza, Bulgaria. He has registered his school with myEUROPE in 2000, when the project aimed to link up schools from the European Union with schools from Central and Eastern Europe. In this article Tzvetan Naydenov describes a school activity that was dedicated to the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated every year on 21 September.
The International Day of Peace was first established in 1981 by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session every September.
The International Day of Peace “is meant to be a day of global cease-fire, when all countries and all people stop all hostilities for the entire day. And it is a day on which people around the world observe a minute of silence at 12 noon local time” (Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General).
It has already been a tradition to celebrate the day worldwide. Schools organise “Pinwheels for Peace”, when students make pinwheels in which they make seem peaceful.
On 21 September 2006, my students and I gathered in front of the school to celebrate The International Day of Peace. For the event most of the students had written many poems for peace in English and Bulgarian.
First we prayed for peace, said together 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' in English and Bulgarian, and then we all observed one minute of silence for peace. We prayed for peace and for global ceasefire and non violence around the world.
We sang peace songs. Then we all together "planted" 70 pinwheels for peace along the main front lane. We gave it the name 'The Pinwheels for Peace Lane'. Some of the students planted some pinwheels near The Peace Pole in the school yard.
The Peace Pole was "planted" in the morning in front of the school. It is made on pineapple tree and it has on its four sides the prayer 'May Peace Prevail on Earth" in English, Bulgarian, German and Russian languages. Then our headmaster, Mr. Victor Krastev, together with some students, planted 20 trees for peace.
Many reporters from local newspapers, radio and TV assisted to our event. It was one of the most exciting and fascinating day for all of us! May Peace Prevail on Earth!
The International Day of Peace was first established in 1981 by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session every September.
First we prayed for peace, said together 'May Peace Prevail on Earth' in English and Bulgarian, and then we all observed one minute of silence for peace. We prayed for peace and for global ceasefire and non violence around the world. 
