On July 4th 2025 at exactly 11:59:25 in Sunny Beach the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement organized an event with the slogan “30 Years of Clean Water, Trust and Safety”. This event copies and commemorates the first Blue Flag raising ceremony, organized 30 years ago at 11:59:25 at Sunny Beach, which was the first Bulgarian beach to receive the prestigious Blue Flag award. That special day honors the beginning of the international recognition for Bulgarian beaches and the long-term commitment to high standards of cleanliness and safety.
Exactly 30 years after its first international distinction, the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement looks back to where it all started for the Blue Flag in Bulgaria.
Today the flag arrived from the water, pulled by a boat with a parachute — a visual symbol of the clean connection between sea, nature and human efforts.
“This flag carries memoris, responsibility, and meaning — it proves that Sunny Beach is not just a tourist destination, but a national example of sustainable coastal development,” said Kiril Spasov from the Association of Concessionaires of Seaside Beaches.
“Bulgaria celebrates 30 years in the Blue Flag family with 30 Blue Flags awarded. It’s not just recognition—it’s the result of real efforts, every day, every season. The anniversary is a great opportunity to honor the people behind the success,” emphasized Stanimir Georgiev, Chairman of the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement.
In 2025, Bulgaria joins the initiative with a national record number of beaches and marinas. But Sunny Beach remains the starting point—the place where, 30 years ago, the country first found its place on the global Blue Flag map.
Everyone’s efforts are important and definitely lead to success when people join forces to protect the coast.
2025 marks another success – Bulgaria’s bathing water quality is ranked second in Europe by the EU after the fifth place last year, which eloquently shows improvement. All these great news are the result of the hard work of all the people and especially the beach managers, who follow the Blue Flag criteria and run their activities in a respectful and responsible for the environment way.
