site.btaThird Garlic Festival to Take Place September 6 and 7

The third Garlic Festival will be held in the village of Dolni Rakovets, western Bulgaria, on September 6 and 7, Vladimir Georgiev, who is among the organizers of the event, told BTA here on Thursday. 

The festival will be opened with performances by Nikolina Chakardakova and the Nevrokop Dance Ensemble. The programme includes many family games, a cooking competition between chefs from reality TV shows, and an abundance of products from local and visiting producers. 

"Through the festival, we are trying to promote our region, known for its garlic production, and local landmarks. Our desire is for the people who participate to be true producers, and for the guests of the festival to be able to get close to their Bulgarian products," he emphasized. The Garlic Festival is gaining more and more popularity with each edition, with more than 5,000 people visits its previous edition in 2024, Georgiev noted.

Garlic production is a traditional occupation in Dolni Rakovets. It has been a trademark of the village for many years, as the garlic grows large and fragrant due to the favorable climate and fertile soils.