The Branch of Hellenic Foundation for Culture (HFC) in Sofia recently organised a painting competition titled "Greece through the eyes of children."

Some 250 pupils (7-17) from about 30 towns in Bulgaria participated in the competition with a total of 300 pieces. The young creators attempted to present Greece deriving information from history and culture, traditions and monuments.

The paintings revealed the powerful ability of children to "travel" to Greece - a country which most of them have never visited, but which they have imagined through the books, the narratives of adults and things they have been taught at school.

The prizes - trips to Greece - are offered by the Greek National Tourism Organization.