Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev took part in the 121st edition of the Rose Festival in Kazanlak

Minister of Tourism Evtim Miloshev took part in the 121st edition of the Rose Festival in Kazanlak, which this year coincided with Botev's Day. On Sunday, the lavish culmination of the month-long festival dedicated to the Bulgarian rose took place in the heart of the Valley of the Roses.

‘This is something extraordinary, we see what emotion and what energy there is at the Rose Festival. Everything is very impressive’, said Minister Evtim Miloshev in Kazanlak and pointed out that this day is a great celebration, as it is also the Day of Botev. After the silent hearing of the sirens of tribute, Minister Miloshev addressed the public saying:

‘I am extremely happy that today we are all together — on the Day of the Rose, on the Day of Botev and of all those who gave their lives for this country. Today, to celebrate our national symbol — the rose — is above all a symbol of identity, of thousands of years of history, right here — in the Valley of the Thracian Kings, in the valley of great civilizations, in the heart of the world and of Bulgaria on the Day of the Bulgarian Rose.’

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there are currently 2,947 producers registered in Bulgaria who grow Damascena and Alba roses, and the area under oil rose has increased since last year to over 50,000 hectares.

The event was attended by thousands of tourists from all over the world, and according to the information of the Kazanlak Municipality, the bed base in the town was fully booked for the holidays already in March.

Among the official guests were the Minister of Education and Science prof. Galin Tsokov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Ass. Prof. Deyan Stratev, the Mayor of Kazanlak Galina Stoyanova, MPs, MEPs, directors of state and municipal institutions, mayors of municipalities and towns, as well as the archaeologist prof. Nikolai Ovcharov. Guests were also ambassadors and representatives of almost the entire Diplomatic Corps, as well as delegations from twin cities of Kazanlak, from countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, China, North Macedonia, Greece.

In the early hours of the day Minister Miloshev participated in the traditional ritual ‘Rosober’ near Kazanlak in the rose gardens near Kran, where part of the centuries-old tradition of the Valley of the Roses is reproduced.

The most spectacular part was the culmination, when along the central boulevard 56th Queen of the Rose Nedelina Nedelcheva and her runners-up led the traditional carnival parade, which this year passed under the motto ‘The charms of the Valley of the Roses’, and in it took part over 5 thousand participants, children, folklore groups and guests of the lavish festival.

Within the framework of the event, an International Folklore Festival is held in the City of Roses, where groups from Kazanlak's twin cities show their folklore and customs. During the festival days the guests had the opportunity to visit the Rose Wine Expo in the halls of the People's Community Centre ‘Iskra — 1860’ in Kazanlak.