Have you ever heard of the Rose Festival in Bulgaria? Every year, people from different corners of the world come to enjoy this event, to marvel at the beautiful rose fields, and to savor the delicacies of our cuisine. It is over a century-old celebration, which combines Bulgarian tradition, history, and folklore.
The Rose Festival takes place on the first weekend of June in the town of Kazanlak. Kazanlak is the heart of the Rose Valley, where different activities related to rose picking are carried out from late May until mid-June. It is the time of the year when locals choose a Rose Queen, collect rose petals, and prepare rose oil.
Even though there are more than 150 types of roses, Rosa damascena, also known as Damask rose, is the best one for extracting high-quality rose oil. The favorable conditions for growing Rosa damascena in the Rose Valley make Bulgaria one of the biggest rose oil producers in the world. A curious fact about this rose is that very rarely, towards the end of its blooming season, a handful of blossoms have a special feature that sets them apart from the rest. Those unique flowers are known as “rose queen” among the locals.
This year, the Rose Festival in Kazanlak was canceled due to COVID-19. However, fellow Google Moderator @Ivi_Ge and I wanted to share with you how this celebration brings together two countries, and what activities you can enjoy in the Rose Valley.
@Ivi_Ge : The rose plays an important role in the cross-country friendship between Bulgaria and Japan. It unites two sister cities, Kazanlak in Bulgaria, and Fukuyama in Japan. The Rose Festival is one of the most remarkable events for both cities, and every year, the Rose Queen from Kazanlak is invited to participate in the Fukuyama festival.
I had the chance to experience the Fukuyama Rose Festival in 2016. At that time, the Rose Queen was Tsvetelina Ivanova, and it was a pleasure to be her translator during the various cultural, social, and sports events. The festival also included different dance and music performances across the city. One of my favorite moments from the two-day celebrations was the parade of the Rose Queens from Japan, Bulgaria, and other countries. I also loved the food stalls that lined the streets, offering delicious local dishes.
@TsekoV : I had the opportunity to attend the Rose Festival in Kazanlak twice before and see the coronation of the Rose Queen. Even though the festivities were canceled this year, I decided to visit the Rose Valley and rediscover its vast rose fields once the travel restrictions in Bulgaria were lifted.
Following all health regulations, I chose to visit one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, the Damascena Complex, known for its great open spaces. The complex provides a glimpse into the magic of rose oil production. There you can learn more about the rituals of rose picking and discover the multiple ways in which the oil is used: from rose liqueurs to rose honey and jam, to perfumes and cosmetics.
I was amazed by the splendid gardens inside the complex, where I would relish the sweet scent of over a hundred types of roses all around me. Another reason why I liked the place was the access it provided to its rose fields. Everyone was welcome to enjoy a walk there and take as many beautiful photos as they wanted. The complex also included a zoo-like area with hundreds of deer, horses, wild boars, and peacocks. Last but not least, the breathtaking views of the mountains that opened up just above the complex were a real treat. That place perfectly combined the spirit of the Rose Festival and the connection with nature.
Do you have similar traditions of rose-picking in your country? Have you been to a rose festival? Share with us in the comments below.
Now You have another good reason to come and visit Bulgaria, he-he-he. 
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One must be quite fortunate to be there.
Tulip exhibition.