site.btaVice President Iotova Praises Bulgarian Rose as National Treasure

Vice President Iliana Iotova Sunday said the Bulgarian rose should have long been protected with special care by the state, not merely as part of agricultural production, but as a national treasure that deserves focused support for those who cultivate and process it. "I am confident that with joint efforts, this will become a fact. Its beauty apart, the rose is also Bulgaria's finest ambassador - it knows no borders," she said.

Iotova was an official guest at the 122nd Rose Festival in Kazanlak on Sunday. 

She emphasized the rose's role in forging connections and in twinning cities, noting that despite attempts to grow the Bulgarian rose elsewhere, success remains elusive. "Even the 21st century technologies have failed to make this happen. This rose loves Bulgaria, our soil, air and sun. That is why we must protect it like the apple of our eye and continue to support its production," she said.

Recalling a recent recognition in the perfume capital of the world, the French town of Grasse, Iotova said she had been proud to represent Bulgaria alongside Kazanlak Deputy Mayor Srebra Kaseva. "There, the name 'Kazanlak' is spoken with emotion and respect," she noted, adding that Mayor Galina Stoyanova had defended successfully Bulgaria's essential oil industry in Europe.

She was referring to EC-proposed amendments to the Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals, according to which essential oils would be classified as potentially dangerous. Back in 2023, Stoyanova warned that rose oil may lose its status as an agricultural product and may be treated as a chemical product under the chemical industry control rules. The Bulgarian MEPs from all political groups acted in unison at the time and swayed a European Parliament vote in favour of a Bulgarian proposal to revise the tentative position on essential oils.

"You are mentioned not only as a Bulgarian mayor and leader, but as a European leader," she told Stoyanova, praising the efforts of the local administration. "This fight is not just about Kazanlak, it is also about Karlovo, Pavel Banya and every Bulgarian town that defends this industry."

Iotova recalled that Kazanlak is not only the Valley of Roses, but also the Valley of Thracian Kings - "a place of tradition, of the Bulgarian spirit, heritage and beauty." She urged Bulgarians to protect and celebrate this legacy and to teach future generations to cherish it.

She called Kazanlak the capital of the Bulgarian rose, noting that the Rose Festival's fame transcends Bulgaria's borders. "Today, the fragrance of the rose fields is everywhere, it purifies our souls. And on this important religious day, Pentecost, it carries an even deeper meaning," she said.

The Vice President paid tribute to the 122-year-old tradition of the Rose Festival, praising Kazanlak's residents for preserving and enriching it year after year.

Among the official guests were National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova, Metropolitan Cyprian of Stara Zagora, Parliament's Deputy Chair Yuliana Mateeva, Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev, MPs, Stara Zagora Regional Governor Nedelcho Marinov, regional and local officials, and delegations from twin cities.