The oil-bearing rose takes an important place in the history of Kazanlak area. It was brought centuries ago from the Near East and since then it becomes an integral part of the customs of the local inhabitants, and the rose production becomes a main mean of livelihood. Each spring, thousand of rose blossoms which became a symbol of charm and aroma, awaken and bring joy and dreams. Because of the beauty of the blossoming rose gardens and of the fragrances which spread over them, the valley in which grow the oil-bearing roses is called the Valley of the roses.

The respect of the Bulgarian to the rose is a symbol of the people’s admiration before the beauty. The rose blossom is weaved in embroideries, repeated in dresses and jewelry, re-created in legends, music and dance, and is a standard for intransient comeliness. Therefore, the people glorify with a festival this beautiful flower which is born to create the mood and poetry of our days.

In honour of the queen of the flowers, each year during the first week of June, in Kazanlak is held the Festival of the Rose.  It was held for a first time in 1903 and then it was dedicated to the beauty and compassion. Today the Festival of the rose changed to an international feast which amuses thousands of guests of the town.

The festive programme includes choice and crowning of Queen Rose and the traditional rituals – rose-picking and rose-brewing – which re-create the authentic atmosphere filled with lots of fun, songs and dances from the Thracian region, kuker plays, welcoming the most skilled rose-picker. Young boys and girls, wearing folk costumes, welcome the guests of the town, decorate their clothes with garlands with rose blossoms, treat them with banitsa (Bulgarian national cheese pastry), rose jam, rose liquor, dance lively Bulgarian folk dances (horo). The culmination of the feast is the festive procession through the town streets in which the main role have the participants in the international folk festival.

Except for the traditional activities for the free-time of its inhabitants and guests, during the festive days Kazanlak offers lots of other cultural activities and entertainment.

Contacts:

‘Culture and Tourism’ Department: + 359 431/98 374;

Information centre: + 359 431/99553

e-mail: ct.kz@abv.bg [8]