Six kindergartens and Nikola Y. Vaptsarov primary school in Haskovo are joining the national "School with a Heart" campaign, which starts on September 29, World Heart Day. The programme works with children and young people aged 3 to 18.

The kindergartens taking part in the city are Iglika, Slaveyche, Shturche, Zvanche, Slantse and Zornitsa.

Across Bulgaria, 610 kindergartens and schools are joining the campaign, along with 34,000 children and 1,200 teachers.

The Bulgarian Hypertension League runs the campaign together with the Heart to Heart for Bulgaria foundation, with cardiologists backing it.

First, children and teachers will form a symbolic "living heart" — the heart of Bulgaria. There will be drawing, dancing and activities on how to look after your heart.

Once the campaign starts, every kindergarten and school will get a free kit with six ready-made teaching modules, sorted by age and spread across the school year. The topics cover heart health, exercise, diet and healthy choices.

Organisers say children need to learn about the heart from an early age. What they learn should not stay in the classroom. Children should take it home to parents and grandparents and put it into practice through exercise and small everyday choices. That way, kindergartens and schools become the place where the knowledge reaches whole families.

Every kindergarten and school that takes part will get an official certificate, and in May 2027 the most active ones will get the "School with a Heart" award.