13,000 white pine trees and 12,800 spruce trees have been sent this week by the volunteer initiative Gorata.bg to all parts of Bulgaria. "For 9 years now we have been changing the tradition and instead of cutting down trees for the holidays, we are planting them," Nikola Rakhnev, founder of the initiative, told BNR. So far, thanks to his team, more than 1,400,000 trees have been planted in Bulgaria.

The registration of those wishing to receive a Christmas tree to plant is done through a form published on the Facebook page of Gorata.bg after a pre-announced campaign.

"Once again there was a lot of interest, and in the first action in 8 minutes, we received 1,300 forms," ​​says Nikola. Shipments of packaged trees are sent the next day, and the team of Gorata.bg gives instructions on where it is most appropriate to plant them and what care should be taken to make them grow nicely so Bulgaria becomes a more beautiful and green place.

The goal is to plant between 40,000 and 50,000 Christmas trees across the country this year, with at least two more campaigns expected by the end of December.

Compiled by Vessela Krasteva