“We are here at the crossroads of departures and arrivals. If someone is leaving Bulgaria, let them see this exhibition and remember that they were actually able to lay eyes on this beauty, to touch this richness, at least in a photo. If it is a foreigner who is leaving, let him know that he is leaving a place touched by God. If he is a Bulgarian who is leaving or going far away, they should know that their heart is here, the tears of their ancestors are right in this Ice Lake,” thus Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova unveiled the photo exhibition “30 Years of Rila National Park - A Challenge for Future Generations” at Sofia Airport Terminal 2, together with Jesus Caballero, CEO of “SOF Connect” AD.

The 30 best photos from the photo contest, which was organized by the Directorate of National Park “Rila” last year, are exhibited in the airport. The travelling exhibition has already visited Blagoevgrad, the Municipal Theatre - Kyustendil, the Visitor Information Centre of Rila National Park in Samokov, an international conference in Sofia, and now - Terminal 2 at Sofia Airport.

Minister Karamfilova presented some of the emblematic sites from the photo exhibition, drawing attention to the Ice Lake, which is the highest in the Rila Mountains and the Balkan Peninsula, and said that it is name so because even in summer ice crystals can be seen in it.

The Environment Minister pointed out that in order to be successful, modern business decisions must be tailored and refracted through the prism of environmental legislation. She congratulated the host, the CEO of “SOF Connect” AD, the operator of Sofia International Airport, for his courage and responsibility to take the path of decarbonisation, digitalisation and environmentally-friendly waste management.

Rositsa Karamfilova thanked Park “Rila” because this exhibition actually presents how people who go to enjoy the natural wealth of our largest national park see it. The park’s teams are dedicated to the cause, they know every nook and cranny. The rangers walk them every day, no matter if it is winter, cold or raining, they are in the field to preserve this natural wealth.

Regarding some bad practices, Minister Karamfilova said, “We have unfortunately encountered many bad practices, someone decided to take a bath in one of the Seven Rila Lakes, another decided that the wild goats are his property and dares to consider poaching, we will not allow it! The full force of the law will be applied.”

Krassimir Andonov, Director of the Rila National Park Directorate, also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for organizing the exhibition, as well as to the hosts from Sofia Airport. “This is the longest travelling exhibition we have done. It is a real pride for me and my colleagues that the first thing people coming to Bulgaria will see are the beautiful photos from Rila,” Andonov said.

Jesus Caballero also expressed his gratitude for the initiative, noting the plans to develop the airport with environmental standards in mind. “We have an extensive development plan for Sofia Airport, but we do everything with the environment in mind. We are determined to work towards carbon neutrality because we believe that this is a guarantee for sustainable development and an investment in the future. Part of our initiatives are upgrading Terminal 2, which includes the essential aspect of improving its energy class, building our own 20-megawatt photovoltaic park, electrifying vehicles and digitalizing processes and activities.” said Mr. Caballero. He noted that Sofia Airport is still the only airport in Bulgaria that is actively engaged in managing not only its own emissions, but also those of partners and companies with operations at the airport, adding: “We are also about to build Terminal 3, where we will apply the best standards in sustainable design and environmental performance of facilities.”

The exhibition can be viewed in the area immediately after departing passengers pass through border control, and is also close to the retail outlets and the arrivals path. It will remain at the airport until the end of May. On the first day dozens of passengers wanted to see it.