Bulgaria

Candidate – Bulgaria

Submission by: Municipality of Pazardzhik

Project name: Gardens of the World

Short description

“Gardens of the World” in Pazardzhik-a journey with a message of peace
The project aims to send a clear political message to transcend the differences among individual countries and extend a hand in search of common ground among every culture, community, and language. In these difficult times, the beauty of the garden provides a corner for peace, harmony, humility, and enjoyment to every visitor. It inspires, educates, and offers an incomparable borderless journey.

The main idea was born within the the Municipality of Pazardzhikin 2022 and especially by the mayor Mr. Todor Popov. He assignedaprojectto University of Forestry for an exhibition park. The taskwas preparedbylandscape architect Veselin Rangelov. For this purpose, a planning project was created in Bulgaria. Furthermore, leading landscape architects from the participating countries, demonstrated the distinctive features of the national garden art of each country with representative vegetation and design, with the aim of creating a piece of harmony.

Biodiversity

The “Island of Freedom” is located on the Maritsa River near the town of Pazardzhik. It is approximately 1,750 meters long and 310 meters wide. Its area is about 300 decares (0.3 km²). It is overgrown with poplar trees. Until the great flood of the Maritsa River in 1858, it was a small, treeless island. For half a century, it was privately owned and used for timber harvesting and grazing livestock, after which it was purchased by the city administration in 1905 and turned into a park. On a neglected area, that was abandoned, “Gardens of the World” has been built. The project aims to harmonize nature with sustainable development by creating an environment that benefits both people and the ecosystem. It focuses on conserving and enhancing biodiversity through natural ecosystem. With the diversity of plants in one place, the park provides nesting habitats and food for birds, insects and butterflies.

Economic factors

The sustainable approach to each element of the project has reduced the maintenance and water consumption. In fact, the permeable surfaces are absorbing the water and the irrigation system is done through the Maritsa River with a purification station. The drainage system is built with natural filters, and excess water is naturally returned to the river.

Climate and impact on the environment

The green park areas act as natural retreats for leisure, play, and social interaction, improving air quality and reducing urban heat island effects. Vegetation surrounding the walkways naturally regulates temperature, offering comfortable, shaded areas for visitors even during the hottest days. By balancing sun exposure and shaded zones, the design creates comfortable microclimates that visitors can enjoy even on hot summer days.

The contribution to the well-being of users and social cohesion

The planned area is used as an exhibition park where the citizens of Pazardzhik will be able to relax and enjoy the amazing views.

With its variety of types, styles, species, and proportions from European and World garden-park art, the Park is an excellent field for the practical work of students from various universities and schools throughout Bulgaria, providing an opportunity for unique scientific research in the field of botany and ecological restoration. One of the most inspiring parts of the garden is the “Youth Garden”, created by many young people from different schools and organizations in Bulgaria.

The “Garden of the World” also provides an area of harmony, humility, and delight for each of its guests and also inspires, educates and offers an unparalleled journey.

The selection, origin and quality of used products and materials

This vegetation, together with the existing plantings, forms the backbone of the new park greenery, making it not only more attractive but also significantly more resilient. The selected species are local for the city of Pazardzhik and therefore are expected to develop optimally under the specific ecological conditions, with the goal of creating healthy and sustainable species that will form the park’s framework. Later on, exotic species typical of different geographical zones—but capable of thriving under the conditions in the city are also selected and added. This composition, built with all the classic means—foreground, middle ground, background screens, focal points, and visual closures—will complement the park’s main concept and, in accordance with the annual rhythm, will continuously transform the spaces throughout the seasons with colour, fragrance, foliage, and so on. The tree vegetation has been used not only for its ameliorative function and as a key structural element of the spaces but also to provide shade for recreation areas and seating zones. It serves as an aesthetic and artistic element that emphasizes and complements the alley network, creating a multilayered spatial composition. Water-permeable drained pavements made of natural materials have been used for the pathways that absorb excess water and functioning as natural drainage system.

The Overall Design

“Gardens of the World” has been realized with the active support of numerous ambassadors and diplomats from Bulgaria and abroad, which planted traditional species from their countries. The first step was blessing of the garden by the Pope in December 2022. It took exactly 1 year to complete the first part of the project.

This could not have been done without the active support of Landscape Architect Tatyana Boyadzhieva and the embassies of many countries. Many of the sport icons also sponsored the event, featuring the greatest football player in Bulgarian history – Hristo Stoichkov and the greatest athlete of the century- Carl Lewis. Both of them contributed and did their best to bring this wonderful project to life. During the realization process a lot of students were invited to help and create the future symbol of their city. Important to mention is that the first plant “the small olive tree” was delivered from Vatican’s Garden, gifted by the Holy Pope himself.

The opening ceremony was attended by both local residents, honoured guests –Carl Lewis (greatest athlete of all times), Hristo Stoichkov (world-famous national football player), Ivet Lalova(European athlete champion), Tania Bogomilova (Olympian swimming champion) and many more athletes. Among the official guests stood out also Tsveta Karayancheva (Chairman of the Parliament) and many more ambassadors.

The symbol of the park –“The Eternal Peace Flame”

“The Eternal Peace Flame” is a gift from the organization “Peace Run”, Carl Lewis and Hristo Stoichkov as a sign of goodwill and international cooperation. It is a true engineering marvel – the pedestal is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allows it to stay lit even in the worst weather conditions. The flame will burn brightly every day, every hour, every minute and every second in all seasons. Inspiration – that is the meaning of this flame, a symbol of the burning hope for lasting world peace. This symbol will maintain peace and harmony in our every intention, endeavor and deed.