A special event dedicated to scientific education and nature protection will be organised for the first time at Saint Anne Lake on June 1, marking both International Children's Day and International Volcano Day.

According to information published on the event's Facebook page, the 'Open Doors Day at Saint Anne Lake and Tinov Mohos' will offer participants the opportunity to discover the story of the Ciomad volcano, including how it functioned, the types of eruptions it produced, their causes and the evidence showing that the volcano is not considered fully extinct.

The event, organised by the Pro Szent Anna Association, will also feature interactive presentations by researchers from Hungary specialising in volcanology.

They will discuss the history of volcanic activity, rock analysis, the study of emitted gases and mineral waters. The programme will also include an interactive game explaining how volcanoes function and discussions on how eruptions can be anticipated.

The presentations will be translated into Romanian.

A 3D model of the Ciomad volcano will also be displayed on site, while organisers announced that the research group is preparing a volcanic eruption simulation.

The programme will take place in two sessions, at 11:00 and 14:00, at the Ecotourism Centre near the Saint Anne Lake-Mohos Peat Bog area.

Visits to the two protected natural areas and to the centre will be free of charge on June 1.

The director of the Pro Szent Anna Association, Dosa Elek-Levente, told AGERPRES that this is the first event organised to mark Volcano Day, describing it as 'an educational initiative promoted within European geoparks and projects dedicated to geological heritage, aimed at bringing the public closer to the world of volcanoes, science and the understanding of the natural processes shaping our planet.'

The organisers intend to turn the event into an annual tradition for both the local community and visitors to Saint Anne Lake and the Mohos Peat Bog.

'This day is more than just an event. It is an opportunity to bring people closer to nature, science and the values of responsible coexistence with the environment. We believe that the long-term protection of Saint Anne Lake and the Mohos Peat Bog cannot exist without education, involvement and cooperation with the community. Our role is not only to protect and manage this valuable site, but also to create a genuine connection between people and nature, between science and society,' Dosa Elek-Levente told AGERPRES.

The event is seen not only as a public activity, but also as a tool for education and awareness, encouraging people to better understand nature and develop a responsible relationship with the environment.

'In a world where we are moving further and further away from nature, we believe it is essential for both adults and younger generations to understand how nature works, what role the environment plays, how ecosystems function and why it is important to protect them. Through visits to the Knowledge Centre and direct interaction with researchers, we want to offer the public a deeper understanding of the value of this unique landscape, its origins and fragility, and the responsibility we have towards it. We believe people truly love and protect only what they understand and know,' the director of the Pro Szent Anna Association said.

He also spoke about the importance of direct interaction with researchers, saying that science thus becomes 'alive' and 'accessible' for participants.

'Children and adults alike have the opportunity to discover not only information from books and digital media, but also to meet the people who have been studying the volcano for many years, researching the gases, rocks and history of these places, and contributing to the understanding of one of Europe's most special natural landscapes. Such experiences can inspire curiosity, critical thinking, respect for nature or even children's future vocations. (...) Through knowledge and direct experiences, we can build a more aware, more responsible community that is closer to the values of nature protection and ecotourism,' Dosa Elek-Levente concluded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Gina Stefan; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)