As every year, on the last Saturday of May, the town of Karlovo plays host to the Rose Festival, dedicated to the beauty and fragrance of the roses of Karlovo, and to spring.

The tradition goes back to the turn of the 20^th century. The celebrations begin on 31 May in the rose gardens outside the town with a rose-picking ritual, with the participation of the amateur folklore ensembles of Karlovo municipality. The music and the cultural programme feature a bagpipe orchestra; young boys and girls will join the rose picking. The guests will be welcomed with ritual loaves of bread, and roses and geranium, as well as kukeri performances.

The high point of the festival will be the crowning of the Queen of Roses. The new “queen” will be crowned by last year’s winner, and will address all people attending the event to invite them to pick a rose flower from her kingdom.

• Bulgarian rose oil - high price around the world and underpaid manual labor at home

This will be followed by a parade for the Queen of Roses’ entry into town where a diverse cultural programme will follow. A Rose Alleyway has been set up, lined with tents where local arts and crafts will be presented connected with the prevailing livelihood in the area – roses. There will be rose distillation demonstrations using authentic 18^th century utensils.

• A valley with a scent of roses, lavender and … millennial history

Compiled by Ivan Gergov
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: BTA, museumkarlovo.com