site.btaChirpan Hosts International Lavender Festival 2025

The fourth International Lavender Festival, held under the auspices of the Tourism Ministry, will once again transform Chirpan into a vibrant stage for beauty, art, and tradition. Over the next three days, the town and the picturesque villages of Sredno Gradishte and Spasovo will be immersed in the scent of lavender, blending the magic of nature with the richness of Bulgarian culture and international exchange under the motto “A Celebration of the Senses,” tourism expert Tanya Georgieva from the local administration said.

Friday’s program opens with a Lavender Market showcasing crafts, farm products, and arts, along with photography exhibitions by the “Dimitar Danailov –- 2013” Community Center and “Living Colors” by Doncho Donchev.

Vice President Iliana Iotova will attend the official opening events. The festivities will begin with a ritual lavender harvest near Chirpan, followed by a festive procession. The official opening ceremony will take place at the Saedinenie Square in Chirpan, followed by a glamorous concert of film music performed by the State Opera – Stara Zagora and featuring Michaela Fileva in the special production “Cine-Classic Soundtracks.”

The concert will feature music from world cinema classics, performed by the State Opera–Stara Zagora orchestra under the baton of conductor Viktor Krumov, with captivating multimedia and hosted by Arina Karaivanova. For the first time, the lyrical theme from “Schindler’s List: will be performed by the orchestra’s concertmaster Anna Ivanova. Michaela Fileva will also present renditions of Bulgarian film music.

Saturday’s program begins with paneurhythmy, lavender field yoga, and 360-degree video memories. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy art installations in the Trendafilov lavender field, exhibitions, artisan and farmer’s markets, lavender-themed culinary delights, and demonstrations of traditional customs. The program also includes ethnographic presentations, international folklore, and cultural exhibitions featuring Bulgaria, Armenia, Italy, Azerbaijan, and India.

Modern music fans can look forward to performances by Papi Hans and Plamen Bonev, as well as an open-air night party with DJ Yasen Petrov from Metropolis.

Organized by the Municipality of Chirpan, the festival will conclude with a “Bollywood” experience – featuring Indian dance lessons and henna painting. The festival will close with a signature folklore performance by the iconic Filip Kutev Ensemble.