O dreamers of peace, come.
Let's go together.
O lovers of peace, come.
Let's run together.
O ministers of peace, come.
Let's grow together.
Sri Chinmoy
Dreamer of world peace and founder of "Peace Run"
On April 10, 2014, this poem was translated and recited in 206 languages, which is a recognized Guinness record.
The date is September 23, 2023, the place is the city of Pazardzhik, where the legends Carl Lewis and Hristo Stoichkov, who is the ambassador of the "Peace Run" for Europe, together discover this wonderful place, intended for future generations and bearing the name "Garden of the World".
The main idea of the Garden of the World is to carry a message of peace!
Only through inner peace can we have true outer freedom!
That's why the two champions together are on fire here
The eternal flame of peace
The Eternal Flame is a gift from the Peace Run organization, Carl Lewis and Hristo Stoichkov as a sign of goodwill and international cooperation. The flame will burn brightly every day, every hour, every minute and second in all seasons.
Inspiration - this is the meaning of this flame, a symbol of the unquenchable hope for lasting world peace! This symbol will maintain peace and harmony in our every intention, endeavor and deed.
The Eternal Flame of Peace is a true engineering marvel – the pedestal is equipped with state-of-the-art technology that allows it to stay lit even in the worst weather conditions. The first such facility was built in the Norwegian capital Oslo.
The Eternal Flame of Peace is located between two specially designated flower gardens, dedicated respectively to Carl Lewis and Hristo Stoichkov – champions, legends, ambassadors of the Peace Run and supporters of the cause of friendship, peace and harmony.
The Flower Garden of Carl Lewis
Never give up!
Carl Lewis
and the legend's signature
"Never give up!" is the personal message of Carl Lewis*, written on a white flag raised on a flagpole, in the middle of a green lawn next to the shaped huge letter L.
*Carlton Frederick Lewis is an American track and field athlete who won 10 Olympic medals (9 gold and 1 silver) from the Los Angeles (1984), Seoul (1988), Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996) Summer Olympics.
His exceptional athletic ability has led to numerous achievements and awards, including being named "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee.
Carl Lewis visited Bulgaria at the invitation of the Pazardjik Municipality, the "Peace Run" organization, the "Touch the Rainbow" association and the "Youth Sports Club - Pazardzhik sports" association. As a personal friend of Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Peace Run, he devotes his time and effort to the cause, becoming an ambassador for the Run.
Carl Lewis was the first recipient of the "Honorary Torchbearer of Peace" award, which aims to encourage people who unselfishly put their talents and boundless energy into the service of the cause of peace, as well as other acts of fortitude, compassion and kindness that help to the transformation of our world into a common human home of peace, harmony and unity.
Carl Lewis is a true champion and inspiration to all who strive to surpass themselves. The "Peace Run" also shares that it is a real honor and joy for them that Carl Lewis is part of the global family of Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run.
In addition to the world's number 1 track and field athlete for the 20th century, torch bearers over the years are: Muhammad Ali, Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, as well as the Bulgarians Yordan Yovchev and Teodosi Spasov, as well as many, many other athletes, artists, artists, figures and people.
During the opening of the eternal flame of peace, Carl Lewis received as a gift a special painting of 61 Bulgarian roses dipped in gold and depicting the five Olympic rings.
The number of roses, one of the symbols of Bulgaria, is the athlete's year of birth.
The flower garden of Hristo Stoichkov
Act boldly!
Hristo Stoichkov
and the legend's signature
"Act boldly!" is the personal message of Hristo Stoichkov, written on a white flag, raised on a pole, in the middle of a green lawn, in front of which the Bulgarian tricolor has blossomed, depicted by white, green and red vivid colors.
In the background, another green lawn is formed, on which a large soccer ball is placed.
Hristo Stoichkov received a gift - a special golden goblet, symbolizing the cup of the founder of the Bulgarian state, Khan Asparuh.
Dagger presented Carl Lewis with a miniature gold replica of his Ballon d'Or.
The fastest white woman on the planet Ivet Lalova, the volleyball ace Teodor Salparov, the popular journalist Elena Yaramova and Assoc. Maria Pishimisheva from MBAL Pazardzhik are this year's peace torch bearers. They will continue to carry the message of peace throughout the world.
And now let's walk along the paths of this wonderful park and have a look
The garden of the world
A small but very exciting part of the diversity and dynamism of Pazardzhik is recreated here.
The Garden of the World is the largest Balkan area with plant species from Bulgaria, the Balkans, Europe and the world.
It was built by the Pazardzhik Municipality together with embassies, organizations and individuals.
With a message of peace, love and understanding between nations!
The first presented work represents the guardians of Pazardzhik - St. Saints Constantine and Helena welcoming guests to the garden of the world.
The next presented work embodies the pride of Pazardzhik's sporting achievements.
The third presented work is called "The Seamstress" - aimed at the future, with a view to the past and our traditions.
We keep traditions!
The last work presented is the symbol of the city of Pazardzhik - the Clock Tower.
We are punctual!
The Garden of the Sovereign Order of Malta
Olive from the Vatican Gardens
The Garden of Italy
The Garden of Cyprus
The Garden of Greece
Dear friends, our walk together through the paths of the garden of the world continues.
The fountains spray water to all who pass by.
The Garden of Iraq
The garden of the Plovdiv Metropolis
The Garden of Palestine
Garden of Moldova
The Garden of Turkey
The Garden of Albania
The garden of the Portuguese football national Beto Pimparel
Garden of Georgia
The garden of Belarus
The garden of Serbia
The Garden of Morocco
Walking in the garden of the world is a fascinating pleasure that I wish everyone!
Just to remind you about the special photo album that collected a huge amount of beauty, a link to which you will find at the end of this post!
How do you get to the city of Pazardzhik?
Pazardzhik is a regional city in southern Bulgaria, the administrative center of Pazardzhik municipality and Pazardzhik district.
Pazardzhik stands on:
112 kilometers (about 1 hour and 18 minutes by car) from the capital
40 kilometers (about 45 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
416 kilometers (about 4 hours and 50 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
300 kilometers (about 3 hours by car) from the city of Burgas
How do you get to the Garden of the World?
The Garden of the World was built adjacent to the Svoboda Park-Island in the city.
What can be visited nearby?
Only 14 kilometers southwest of the town of Pazardzhik (about 18 minutes by car) you will find the village of Patalenitsa.
In the village of Patalenitsa, I recommend you to visit the pearl of Patalenica - the buried church "Saint Dimitar".
Near the village stands the wonderful Batkun spiritual monastery "St. St. Peter and Paul", where you will find majestic tranquility and beauty.
In spring, the phenomenally beautiful lavender fields of Patalen radiate charm and charm against the backdrop of the majestic Rhodopes.
Only 20 kilometers east of the city of Pazardzhik (about 20 minutes by car) is the city of Stamboliyski, where I highly recommend you to visit the Stamboliyski Eco Park.
Only 10 kilometers south of the town of Stamboliyski (about 13 minutes by car) you will find charming Peruštitsa.
About 2 kilometers before the town is the Red Church, which I invite you to visit.
In Peruštitsa you can visit the Renaissance (Danovo) School.
Next to the school building is the church "St. Archangel Michael".
Only 3 kilometers southwest of the town of Perushtitsa (about 6 minutes by car) is the village of Ustina.
In Ustina, take the Ustina eco-path to the Ustina waterfall.
Only 16 kilometers southeast of the town of Stamboliyski (about 20 minutes by car) is the village of Parvenets and a beautiful artificial waterfall, which I suggest you visit.
About 15 kilometers south of the village of Hrabrino (about 24 minutes by car) is the charming Sitovski waterfall.
About 3 kilometers east of the village of Hrabrino (about 6 minutes by car) is the village of Izvor, from where the path to Momini skali starts, which I advise you to take.
About 23 kilometers south of the city of Pazardzhik (about 30 minutes by car) you will find the struggling Bratsigovo.
The city is a magnificent destination for walks and rest! During your stay in Bratsigovo, I recommend you to visit the magnificent church "St. John the Forerunner" and the highest Orthodox bell tower on the Balkan Peninsula, which is located in the courtyard of the church.
Near the church you will find the small square "Sinjirli well", shaped and built around the well, where on April 21, 1876, Vasil Petleshkov read the Invocation, the bloody letter and announced the uprising.
Erected in 1976 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the great events of the April Epic, the Apriltsi Memorial Park in the city of Bratsigovo is a cultural monument of national importance, and I invite you to take the time to explore it.
People's community center "Vasil Petleshkov - 1874" is located in the center of the city and I invite you to take a look at the majestic building.
In addition to its heroic past, Bratsigovo is also famous for its incredible rose plantations, which smell divine in the month of May.
If you continue from Bratsigovo in the direction of the village of Rozovo, you will find yourself at a wonderful roadside rest area with an exceptional panoramic view of the city.
Only 5 kilometers south of Bratsigovo (about 9 minutes by car) you will find the charming, colorful village of Rozovo, next to which is the Chorbanovo dam.
Continuing along the road, you will find the beautiful and peaceful resort of Rozovski vriz.
