This competition is organized by the Experimental laboratory of Karstology at the National institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Foundation Center on Karstology “Vladimir Popov”. It will be held within the framework of the International Scientific-practical forum “Protected Karst Territories – Legislation, Tourism and Monitoring” (ProKARSTerra`2019, Sofia, Bulgaria).

The competition follows the Forum motto: “Protected Karst Territories – Islands of sustainable development” and runs in 5 already established categories:

1. For pupils:

1.1. Up to12 years old:  Drawing / Work with natural materials  Multimedia presentation/Video

1.2. Over 12 years old:  Drawing / Work with natural materials  Multimedia presentation/Video/ Computer game  Essay  Poster / Postcard  Comics

2. For teachers:  My unusual lesson  Our students’ project

3. For University students:  Scientific essay / Multimedia presentation/Video / Computer game  Picture / Painting  Cartoon (Caricature) / Comics/Grotesque  Art Installation

4. For nature lovers, photographers (no age limit):  Photo Composition (3 to 5 photos)  Movie  Picture / Painting  Cartoon (Caricature) / Comics/Grotesque

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

There are no age restrictions. Students can participate individually or in teams (schools, circles, projects, etc.).

Each participant can send unlimited number of entries. Participants choose their works’ materials, technique (painting, graphics, collage) and size. Photographs should be on photo paper in a format chosen by the author in a form ready for exposure at exhibitions. Digital works can be sent by E-mail or by regular mail saved on the respective information media.

Any work submitted for the contest should be accompanied by the following information:  Author (name, age, place of learning/teaching, address, E-mail and telephone number);  Work title;  Name and location of the presented objects/places in the respective work;  A brief description of the idea represented in the respective work.

Information can be presented in Bulgarian, Russian or English.

Only original author’s works will be admitted, which have not participated in other competitions.

Important: The competition works will not be returned. Please note that by participating in this contest you grant your copyright over your work to the organizers and you state your agreement that your work(s) will be used for promotion of protected karst areas through publications, exhibitions, websites, advertising materials, etc.

Deadline: 19 may 2019

Important: Competition works arrived after 19 may 2019, will not be considered.

The competition entries must be received before this deadline by mail, by Courier or by e-mail at the following addresses:

Postal address:

Bulgaria

1113 Sofia

NIGGG- BAS

“Akad. Georgy Bonchev” street, Bl. 3

For the Karst competition

E-mail addresses: forum2019comp@abv.bg

EVALUATION

Works admitted to the contest will be evaluated by an International Jury. Its members will be prominent Karst experts, Art specialists and Educators, united by the idea of involvement of karst in education. Assessment will be done under the following criteria:

1. Originality of the idea realized in the respective entry

2. Knowledge about karst

3. Artistic values

4. Emotional suggestions

5. Technical skills

6. Creative autonomy

AWARDS

Until 16 June 2019 the International jury will determine the winning entries, which will be ranked from first to third place in each category. A Grand prix will be awarded for original achievement. The authors of winning entries will receive certificates and prizes. The Grand prix winner will receive an invitation to participate in the specialized field trip in unique karst regions in Bulgaria (expenses for the excursion will be covered by the organizers).

The competition results will be published after June 30, 2019 on the sites http://prokarstterra.bas.bg/ competition and http://prokarstterra.bas.bg/forum2019/competition. Official announcement and awarding of winners will take place on September 29, 2019 at a ceremony at the International Scientific-practical Conference “Protected karst territories – law, tourism, monitoring” in Sofia. Winners will receive invitations at the designated addresses.

The winning entries will be published on the website of the International Scientific Network ProKARSTerra (http://prokarstterra.bas.bg), as well as in various specialized publications. A catalogue of award-warning works will be issued. The best entries, selected by the International jury will be exposed at a specialized exhibition, opened in Sofia on September 29, 2019. The awarded works at the Fourth issue of the Competition will be included in the traditional travel exhibition “Karst under protection – gift for the future generations”.