site.btaKazanlak's 122nd Rose Festival Ends with Parade Led by Rose Queen

A colourful carnival parade passed along the central boulevard of Kazanlak on Sunday, the final day of the 122nd Rose Festival. The largest street parade in Bulgaria is the much-anticipated high point of the festival. This year it was mottoed "A Festive Parade of Fragrance and Beauty."

Led by the 2025 Rose Queen, Maria Shamburova, and runners-up Konstantina Kostadinova and Tanya Chipilska, this year's parade was more vibrant and spectacular than in previous years. Bulgarian folk groups showcased the heritage of the Valley of Roses to guests from around the world.

The vibrant procession featured local schools, community centres, cultural groups and international participants. Spectators enjoyed traditional costumes and performances, with the celebration ending in a joyful horo chain dance led by the Iskra folk ensemble.

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

Addressing those gathered, Vice President Iliana Iotova 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.

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. "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 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.

Nataliya Kiselova said: "The rose is not only a symbol of the Kazanlak Valley but also a symbol of Bulgaria."

Mayor Galina Stoyanova also welcomed visitors, inviting them to return and continue writing Kazanlak's story. She spoke of the Bulgarian rose as a cherished national symbol and praised the generations of women who have kept rose traditions alive. She noted that for centuries, mothers in Kazanlak have passed down the tradition of weaving rose garlands to their daughters.

Earlier in the day, visitors from Bulgaria and abroad gathered near Kazanlak for the traditional rose-picking ritual, re-enacted by local folk ensembles, which is one of the high points of the Rose Festival. It was attended by ambassadors and Diplomatic Corps representatives, and delegations from Kazanlak's twin towns.