The National Scientific Forum for School and University Students “Young Minds, Bold Geography” brought together young researchers, lecturers and specialists from across the country at Central Park Burgas on 20 October. The event is hosted by the Faculty of Geology and Geography of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, and the conference is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Georgi Zhelezov (1976–2026).

The forum was opened by Mihail Nenov, Deputy Mayor for Education, Healthcare, Social Activities and Youth Policies of Burgas Municipality, and Prof. Georgi Bardarov, Director of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – Burgas Branch, who also delivered the first lecture, titled “Bulgaria – a Geography of Freedom”.

The first day’s programme includes reports and presentations on topics related to geography, natural processes and territorial development. Among them are the geography of freedom, the geographical processes invisible to us, the changes in the valley of the Shegava River, the disappearing villages of Bulgaria, natural hazards and the sustainable development of tourism in Vitosha Nature Park.

The forum also features school and university student projects on GIS analysis, natural disasters, geographical changes in the urban environment and the comparative development of urban agglomerations in Europe and Asia. The day ended with “The Geographer’s Quiz”.

The forum creates a space where young people can meet science, present their own research and discuss the changes in the environment around us.