18/06/2026 On the occasion of World Refugee Day - 20 June, the exhibition 'Draw Me a Dream' was opened at the National Assembly and children from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran,[...]

On the occasion of World Refugee Day - 20 June, the exhibition "Draw Me a Dream" was opened at the National Assembly. The exhibition presents 100 children's drawings from the competition of the same name, dedicated to 1 June - International Children's Day. The event was held at the initiative of the State Agency for Refugees under the Council of Ministers.

The exhibition was opened by the MP from the Progressive Bulgaria Parliamentary Group, Assoc. Prof. Alexandra Valcheva, who, together with the Chairman of the State Agency for Refugees Ivan Ivanov, presented the awards to the winners of the competition in three age categories. Children from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Syria and Ukraine were awarded prizes. The opening of the exhibition was also attended by MPs, experts from the International Organization for Migration, the Bulgarian Red Cross, representatives of UNICEF and the media.

The wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and the ongoing instability in the region are creating unprecedented pressure on the international humanitarian system and on Bulgaria as a country, Assoc. Prof. Alexandra Valcheva emphasized. In her words, the strength of a society is measured by its attitude towards the most vulnerable, because solidarity, empathy, charity and volunteerism are not innate, but are nurtured. According to Assoc. Prof. Alexandra Valcheva: Such events are important because they turn into a cause, and caring for children into a sustainable policy.

The Chairman of the State Agency for Refugees, Ivan Ivanov, noted that in the drawings of the young artists there is a lot of light and hope for a happier life. He added that they are in a good place because the Bulgarian people have always empathized with those in need of protection. The new Pact on Migration and Asylum began to be implemented in all European Union Member States on June 12, and the State Agency for Refugees will continue to work even more actively in accordance with Bulgarian legislation in order to create the best possible conditions for children seeking asylum, Ivan Ivanov pointed out.

2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention. It protects the right to asylum and safety for all those fleeing conflict and persecution. The theme of this year's World Refugee Day is "As Long as Everyone Is Safe."