Overview

“Hunting World Exposition, Plovdiv 1981” was held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from June 14 to July 12, 1981, on the grounds of the Plovdiv International Fair. A specialized exhibition, it was organized by Bulgaria's Ministry of Forests and Forest Industry and the Bulgarian Hunting and Fishing Union under the theme "Earth - Planet of Life." It covered 51 hectares.

Origins and the bid

The 87th General Assembly of the International Exhibitions Bureau (Bureau International des Expositions, BIE) recognized the Expo on June 12, 1980. According to the BIE, it was the first specialized exhibition organized under the new rules adopted in 1972, and only the second world hunting exhibition held under BIE auspices, after Expo 1971 Budapest.

Pavilions and international participation

Seventy countries took part, presenting their hunting and fishing achievements, equipment and trophies in 34 pavilions. Some 12,000 hunting trophies gathered over the previous century were on display, and "Grand Prix" awards went to world champions. Beyond the trophies, the Expo examined humanity's long relationship with wildlife and raised environmental questions, which places it among the earlier Expos with an ecological focus.

Culture and entertainment

The program included hunting dog trials, equestrian, fishing and shooting competitions, falconry demonstrations and a nature film festival. A five-day scientific symposium on "Game and Environment" met in two sections, "Agriculture, Forest and Game" and "Safety and Production of Game Animals," alongside round tables on veterinary and food medicine.

Legacy

Plovdiv went on to host two more specialized exhibitions on the same site, Expo 1985 Plovdiv and Expo 1991 Plovdiv, both devoted to young inventors. Commemorative coins and stamps issued for Expo 1981 Plovdiv are still sought by collectors. Between 1981 and 1991, Plovdiv thus hosted three BIE-recognized exhibitions on a single site.