The Peace Banner Assembly was created by Lyudmila Zhivkova in 1979, as a message to children for world peace.
The first children's assembly "Flag of Peace" was officially opened in Sofia on August 16, 1979. During the assembly, the memorial was opened, which is associated with the idea of the assembly and the desire of its organizers to make the world a happier place.
The memorial was built according to a project by sculptors Krum Damyanov and Mihail Benchev, architects Blagoy Atanasov and Georgi Genchev, and engineer Anton Maleev. The construction was carried out in 30 days by the construction team of master Nikola Pavlov.
The concrete monument is 37 meters high, consisting of vertical pylons oriented according to the cardinal directions, and a spiral composition of 2 hemispheres, where some of the bells are located. Around this main monument, a number of much smaller concrete elements are placed in a circle, on which bells donated by different countries are hung: 68 were placed in 1979, and then their number increased to about 100 bells.
The motto under which the assembly was established - "Unity, Creativity, Beauty" - is written in Bulgarian and English on the main monument in the park. Initially, the idea was to hold the assembly only once, but after the extremely approving international reaction in the world divided by the "iron curtain", the assembly began to be held once every 3 years. In its last official edition in 1989, children from 135 countries participated. After a 10-year hiatus, Evgeniya Zhivkova – the daughter of the initiator Lyudmila Zhivkova, restored the assembly in 1999, but on a significantly more modest scale.
The Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace" returns on June 1, 2026.
Under the motto "Unity Creativity Beauty", the event brings back the hope that peace has a voice and it is children's laughter!
In a time of global uncertainty and growing conflicts, Bulgaria is reviving one of the most significant cultural causes - the Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace", which will once again bring together children, art and messages of peace at the emblematic place of the Bells Monument.
On June 1, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., the "Lyudmila Zhivkova - Flag of Peace" Foundation will once again present the "Flag of Peace" Children's Assembly to children with the familiar and beloved appeal "Unity Creativity Beauty". The event is co-organized by the International Foundation "St. Cyril and Methodius" and the National Educational Complex for Culture with a Lyceum for the Study of Italian Language and Culture.
This year's edition also marks the 50th anniversary of the educational institution. The initiative puts Bulgaria on the world map as a center of children's cultural diplomacy.
The movement was founded in 1979 by Lyudmila Zhivkova and unites thousands of children from dozens of countries around the idea of peace through creativity. Today, her mission is continued by her daughter Evgenia Zhivkova, who preserves and develops this timeless tradition. Until 1989, four International Children's Assemblies and four children's meetings were held in Sofia.
A total of 3,900 children from 138 countries and 1,400 children from Bulgaria take part in them. Over the years, the Foundation has held ten children's assemblies, in which children from all over Bulgaria expressed their talent through songs, dances and drawings. About 3,500 children from Bulgarian and international schools participated in each event.
The historical context of the initiative also includes the event of June 12, 1999, when, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the assembly, an asphalt painting competition and a concert were held on the territory of the monument under the motto "Children and Peace on the Planet", under the auspices of UNICEF and the Bulgarian Teachers' Union.
The Assemblies were held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria - Mr. Georgi Parvanov (2002-2012), the Chairman of the 39th National Assembly - Mr. Ognyan Gerdzhikov, the Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev (2005-2009), Mrs. Zorka Parvanova, the wife of the US Ambassador to Bulgaria (2002-2005) - Mrs. Kathy Pardew and the current President of the Republic of Bulgaria - Mrs. Iliyana Yotova.
This year's edition will bring together thousands of children from schools of culture, art schools and educational centers. The program includes musical and dance performances, as well as the participation of the young performer Dara Ekimova.
The highlight of the event is the presentation of the "Academy of the Future of Bulgaria" awards, which distinguish young Bulgarians with high achievements in the field of art, sports and culture. The idea of this initiative is to place the names of the awardees on the "Bells" Monument and thus show respect for their achievements.
A bell donated by the Holy Synod within the framework of the last edition of the "Banner of Peace" Children's Assembly in 2019 will be consecrated at a special solemn ceremony.
Over the years, among the notable names awarded the title "Young Talents (under 30)" are representatives from the fields of culture, science and technology and sports.
Some of the more famous names are: Albena Denkova, Simona Peycheva, Alexandra Zhekova. Within the framework of the Assembly in 2019, Grigor Dimitrov, the two rhythmic gymnastics ensembles, Boryana Kalein, Krisia and Kristian Kostov, who was awarded for his performance at Eurovision 2017, were awarded.
"In the context of contemporary global challenges, the assembly goes beyond the framework of a cultural event and becomes a strong public message. It focuses on the role of art and education as tools for building peace, empathy and dialogue from childhood. Current statistics show that today over 470 million children around the world live in conflict zones, and nearly 50 million are forced to leave their homes.
Children make up only 30% of the population, but they represent almost half of all displaced people. Today more than ever, unification, integration through culture, sports and education are not just a necessity, but an urgent measure to ensure a better future for children all over the world!" - shares Evgeniya Zhivkova, days before the opening of the Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace" - 2026.
With its revival, "Banner of Peace" is not just bringing back a tradition, it is bringing back the hope that peace has a voice and it is children's laughter!
Short story by Ann Wood
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Written on 2026-06-12 at 09:58
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THE STORY OF PEACE FLAG ASSEMBLY TRANSLATED BY ANN WOOD
The "Flag of Peace" Memorial, also known as the Bells, was built in the International Park of Children of the World (better known as the Bells) in Sofia, in close proximity to the southern arc of the Ring Road.The first children's assembly "Flag of Peace" was officially opened in Sofia on August 16, 1979. During the assembly, the memorial was opened, which is associated with the idea of the assembly and the desire of its organizers to make the world a happier place.
The memorial was built according to a project by sculptors Krum Damyanov and Mihail Benchev, architects Blagoy Atanasov and Georgi Genchev, and engineer Anton Maleev. The construction was carried out in 30 days by the construction team of master Nikola Pavlov.
The concrete monument is 37 meters high, consisting of vertical pylons oriented according to the cardinal directions, and a spiral composition of 2 hemispheres, where some of the bells are located. Around this main monument, a number of much smaller concrete elements are placed in a circle, on which bells donated by different countries are hung: 68 were placed in 1979, and then their number increased to about 100 bells.
The motto under which the assembly was established - "Unity, Creativity, Beauty" - is written in Bulgarian and English on the main monument in the park. Initially, the idea was to hold the assembly only once, but after the extremely approving international reaction in the world divided by the "iron curtain", the assembly began to be held once every 3 years. In its last official edition in 1989, children from 135 countries participated. After a 10-year hiatus, Evgeniya Zhivkova – the daughter of the initiator Lyudmila Zhivkova, restored the assembly in 1999, but on a significantly more modest scale.
The Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace" returns on June 1, 2026.
Under the motto "Unity Creativity Beauty", the event brings back the hope that peace has a voice and it is children's laughter!
In a time of global uncertainty and growing conflicts, Bulgaria is reviving one of the most significant cultural causes - the Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace", which will once again bring together children, art and messages of peace at the emblematic place of the Bells Monument.
On June 1, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., the "Lyudmila Zhivkova - Flag of Peace" Foundation will once again present the "Flag of Peace" Children's Assembly to children with the familiar and beloved appeal "Unity Creativity Beauty". The event is co-organized by the International Foundation "St. Cyril and Methodius" and the National Educational Complex for Culture with a Lyceum for the Study of Italian Language and Culture.
This year's edition also marks the 50th anniversary of the educational institution. The initiative puts Bulgaria on the world map as a center of children's cultural diplomacy.
The movement was founded in 1979 by Lyudmila Zhivkova and unites thousands of children from dozens of countries around the idea of peace through creativity. Today, her mission is continued by her daughter Evgenia Zhivkova, who preserves and develops this timeless tradition. Until 1989, four International Children's Assemblies and four children's meetings were held in Sofia.
A total of 3,900 children from 138 countries and 1,400 children from Bulgaria take part in them. Over the years, the Foundation has held ten children's assemblies, in which children from all over Bulgaria expressed their talent through songs, dances and drawings. About 3,500 children from Bulgarian and international schools participated in each event.
The historical context of the initiative also includes the event of June 12, 1999, when, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the assembly, an asphalt painting competition and a concert were held on the territory of the monument under the motto "Children and Peace on the Planet", under the auspices of UNICEF and the Bulgarian Teachers' Union.
The Assemblies were held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria - Mr. Georgi Parvanov (2002-2012), the Chairman of the 39th National Assembly - Mr. Ognyan Gerdzhikov, the Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev (2005-2009), Mrs. Zorka Parvanova, the wife of the US Ambassador to Bulgaria (2002-2005) - Mrs. Kathy Pardew and the current President of the Republic of Bulgaria - Mrs. Iliyana Yotova.
This year's edition will bring together thousands of children from schools of culture, art schools and educational centers. The program includes musical and dance performances, as well as the participation of the young performer Dara Ekimova.
The highlight of the event is the presentation of the "Academy of the Future of Bulgaria" awards, which distinguish young Bulgarians with high achievements in the field of art, sports and culture. The idea of this initiative is to place the names of the awardees on the "Bells" Monument and thus show respect for their achievements.
A bell donated by the Holy Synod within the framework of the last edition of the "Banner of Peace" Children's Assembly in 2019 will be consecrated at a special solemn ceremony.
Over the years, among the notable names awarded the title "Young Talents (under 30)" are representatives from the fields of culture, science and technology and sports.
Some of the more famous names are: Albena Denkova, Simona Peycheva, Alexandra Zhekova. Within the framework of the Assembly in 2019, Grigor Dimitrov, the two rhythmic gymnastics ensembles, Boryana Kalein, Krisia and Kristian Kostov, who was awarded for his performance at Eurovision 2017, were awarded.
"In the context of contemporary global challenges, the assembly goes beyond the framework of a cultural event and becomes a strong public message. It focuses on the role of art and education as tools for building peace, empathy and dialogue from childhood. Current statistics show that today over 470 million children around the world live in conflict zones, and nearly 50 million are forced to leave their homes.
Children make up only 30% of the population, but they represent almost half of all displaced people. Today more than ever, unification, integration through culture, sports and education are not just a necessity, but an urgent measure to ensure a better future for children all over the world!" - shares Evgeniya Zhivkova, days before the opening of the Children's Assembly "Banner of Peace" - 2026.
With its revival, "Banner of Peace" is not just bringing back a tradition, it is bringing back the hope that peace has a voice and it is children's laughter!
Short story by Ann Wood
Read 1 time
Written on 2026-06-12 at 09:58
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