Directors of schools, educational mediators, activists, and volunteers remarked the International Day for Tolerance on November 16th.

For another one year, school directors from across the country, who are part of the “Every Student Will Be an Winner” Network, as well as mediators from the Network of Educational Mediators, once again remarked the International Day for Tolerance on November 16th. The International Day for Tolerance was marked through various campaigns. On November 16, 1996, the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly. The first article of the declaration contains the definition of the concept: “Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and understanding of the rich diversity of cultures in our world, of all forms of self-expression and manifestation of human individuality.”

Here’s how the International Day for Tolerance is celebrated in specific locations:

Village Batak

On the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance on November 16, 2023, a campaign was organized at “St. Cyril and Methodius” School in the village of Batak. Students created tolerance flyers, which were given to random passersby and teachers. Additionally, a tolerance board was made, where everyone could write their messages. Tolerance is about respect, acceptance, and appreciation for the rich diversity of cultures in our world, as well as our forms of expression and ways of human existence. It is synonymous with knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience, and beliefs. The event was attended by the school director, Mr. Shenai Nuriyev, the educational mediator Stefan Stefanov, and teachers.This year, with the help of the educational mediator, the “International Day for Tolerance” was celebrated at the “St. Cyril and Methodius” School in the village of Batak, together with students and parents.

 

 

 

This year, with the help of the educational mediator, the school celebrated the “International Day of Tolerance” together with students and parents. The students from the student council of the school “Angel Karaliychev” in the town. The students of the school “Strazhitsa Karaliarija” made a board on the topic. The students of the 2nd and 10th grades started the initiatives for the tolerance day by taking pictures with the poster they made under the slogan: “Let’s be tolerant”. The younger children also took part in the campaign with their teachers.

The efforts are aimed at overcoming stereotypes and negative attitudes among young people through educational activities and initiatives that will increase interaction between young people of different ethnicities. This campaign aims to show that all people are the same and there should be tolerance between them. Some of the messages that were written were wishes to be kinder, to be tolerant, to respect each other.

Regardless of where we live, what we believe in, if we have a disability, we all want the same thing – to share our world, our feelings, our capabilities, the beauty we possess, to be able to give someone our love. It is these similarities that unite us and drive us to be tolerant.

 

 

In Shumen, students from “Trayko Simeonov” High School at the gymnasium stage brought joy to the residents of the “Dr. Stefan Smyadovski” Nursing Home. They presented flowers and handmade cards with messages to each resident.

 

 

 

In Dobrich, a celebration was held for the Day of Tolerance with students from “N. Y. Vaptsarov” Primary School. The event invited a guest, Mrs. Sh. Kasabova, a regional representative from the Commission for Protection against Discrimination. The message was clear: “Each of us is unique and deserves understanding and tolerant attitude, as long as they are tolerant towards others.”

In Plovdiv, educational mediator Fatme Arslan, who created the Museum of Ethnicities a year ago on the same date, invited school staff for coffee and tea on “tolerance” at the school, along with representatives of various communities in the city of hills.

In Sredets, “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” High School marked the Day of Tolerance, with all students writing about what tolerance means to them.

In Septemvri, students from the Professional High School of Mechanical and Technical Sciences presented their presentations, essays, and decorated the “Tree of Tolerance” with beautiful words: friendship, love, trust, nobility. The initiative took place under the title “Different, but friends!”

 

 

 

This year, the little students from “St. Clement of Ohrid” Primary School in Suhindol, along with the educational mediator, celebrated the “International Day for Tolerance.” Some of the drawings they created bear the message, “Let’s be better, let’s be tolerant, let’s respect each other.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Selanovtsi, students from “N. Y. Vaptsarov” Primary School danced and sang together, mutually promising to be good and tolerant not only on this day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Krushovitsa, tolerance was celebrated as the crown of a society that has achieved a sense of wholeness despite differences. Students from “Hristo Botev” Primary School in the village of Krushovitsa, Vratsa region, learned that being tolerant today in the diversity of differences and the carnival of colorful people is essential. Messages of kindness, patience, understanding, and friendship marked the celebration of the International Day of Tolerance.

In Omurtag, an initiative by the educational mediator marked November 16 as Tolerance Day. Tolerance could improve relationships in the school environment and enhance the value system of young people, who will be the future. Tolerance will teach them important things to follow in life, enabling them to be better accepted by others, to better realize themselves in life, to have more valuable friendships, and, overall, to live a more social and meaningful life.

 

In Pobeda, a meeting with members of the Parent Club and students from the primary stage took place at “Dobri Voynikov” Primary School on November 16, 2023, under the motto “Let’s be tolerant.” Children and parents enjoyed arranging puzzles and making posters. Everyone agreed on the idea that we should be tolerant every day.

 

In Lomtsi, the events at “Hristo Botev” Primary School were held under the motto “We are tolerant.” The day started with observing and discussing presentations in classrooms. Students reached the conclusion that tolerance is respect, acceptance, and understanding of people from different cultures, as well as showing tolerance towards different opinions, behaviors, and desires.

 

 

 

 

 

In Topolchane, International Tolerance Day was celebrated with positive messages, beautifully arranged boards, and a call for tolerance and respect for others, regardless of differences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students from “Hristo Smirnenski” Primary School in General Toshevo visited the children from the Center for Support of Personal Development “Dr. Peter Beron” in Dobrich. They joined hands, drew, played, and had fun together. They planted flowers and, in the name of goodness, collectively created a tree with messages of understanding, compassion, trust, and friendship.

 

 

 

 

 

In the village of Glozhene, at “Hristo Botev” Primary School, Tolerance Day was marked with a tree on which each student who wished could attach their leaf with a word. Then a contest took place under the slogan “the dream of my class.” Each class received a certificate, but the best performance was by the 3rd class. The day concluded with the “dance of tolerance.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Gorno Sahrane, on the eve of International Tolerance Day, an information campaign with parents took place, focusing on communication without violence. Parents learned how to set boundaries for their children with respect and good intentions, and they created a “Book of Good,” containing valuable messages to children related to tolerance in their relationships.

Initiated by the Student Council of “Vasil Levski” Primary School, boards with messages encouraging acceptance of others, respect for differences, and class unity were created for all classes.

In Varbitsa, students from Class IV A of “St. Paisius Hilendarski” Primary School celebrated Tolerance Day by discussing what tolerance means. The students created the Tree of Tolerance in their drawing class.

In Markovo, “Pencho P. Slaveykov” Primary School in the Shumen region celebrated Tolerance Day. With the help of active parents, a board with a tree was created, featuring only 16 leaves in honor of November 16. Members of the student parliament made hearts on which they wrote the rules for tolerance. Thanks were extended to the mediators who, every year, mark Tolerance Day and participate in initiatives related to community integration in the settlements.