Today the Supreme Administrative Court in Bulgaria will decide on the future of Strandja National Park whether it to be a protected territory or no.

During the court's session, fire-dancers from Strandja will be in the capital to show just a small piece of the beauty of the region and to express their feeling for the park. The event is organised by “Nature to stay in Bulgaria”, a coalition of 17 environmental organisations.

Fire-dancing is the ritual, with which Strandja is most famous.

Strandja is the biggest protected natural territory in Bulgaria, created to save the unique eco-systems and bio-diversity as well as to preserve the unique Strandja folklore, culture and historic heritage. Its territory is more than 1% of the overall Bulgarian territory. In 1933 the first national wildlife sanctuary – Silkosia is proclaimed exactly in Strandja.

Strandja is the only Bulgarian territory included in the five territories of Central and Eastern Europe, which have priority for their preservation.

Over Stranga goes the second biggest migratory way of birds in Europe – Via Pontica.

Strandja's nature is threatened by the illegal construction, and the mountain is menaced by poacher-woodcutters, who have been attracted by the virgin forests for hundreds of years.

The event in defense of Strandja Natural Park will start today at 20h in front of the National Palace of Culture with fire-dancing.

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