Fascination of Plants Day (FoPD) – reality and tradition in Bulgaria

Abstract

The present report aimed at providing information about the Fascination of Plants Day (FoPD) which is an initiative for popularization of plant science. FoPD was launched by the European Plant Science Organisation /EPSO/ to facilitate the understanding of plant science and to improve its impact and visibility. The FoPD initiative was set worldwide in 2012 for first time, as Bulgaria joined in 2015 and since then participates with events that bring plant science to the non- scientific public. The Agrobioinstitute of the Agricultural Academy as a coordinator for Bulgaria took the challenge to introduce FoPD among the academic society. In response, the scientific faculties of Sofia University, Shumen University, Agricultural University and other plant research institutions embraced the opportunity to reveal the charm of plants. Here is given an overview of the generally mastered strategies as we put accent on the activities undertaken in the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University where faculty members and students united with the Agrobioinstitute. Our mission is on one hand to convince more Bulgarian researchers to participate in the coming FoPDs, and on the other hand to attract more schoolteachers to bring pupils and future scientists to the organized events, as well as interested citizens, professionals, decision-makers and media.