Rose Festival 2024 was officially opened in Kazanlak

The Rose Festival 2024 was officially opened in Kazanlak on May 31. The 56th Queen of the Rose was crowned with a unique spectacle intertwining music, dance and light.

As part of the tradition, every year on the eve of the Rose Festival, the most beautiful girl among the town's prom becomes the symbol of the celebrations.

This year the crown went to 18-year-old Nedelina Nedelcheva.

The 151the edition of the Rose Festival in the Valley of Roses is heading towards its culmination, which includes dozens of events related to the Damascena oil-bearing rose.

Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world are expected to arrive in Kazanlak for the celebration.

The Rose Festival was first celebrated in 1903. As a tradition, celebrations take place every year in the first weekend of June.

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The Rose Valley is a region in Bulgaria located just south of the Balkan Mountain (Stara Planina).

The Rose Valley of Kazanlak stretches for 10-12 kilometres and is 95 kilometres long with an average height of 350 metres and an area of 1895 square kilometres.

The valley is famous for its rose-growing industry which have been cultivated there for centuries. The centre of the rose oil industry is Kazanlak, while other towns of importance include Karlovo, Sopot, Kalofer and Pavel banya. Each year, festivals take palce celebrating roses and rose oil.

The picking season lasts from May to June. During this period, the area gives off a pleasant scent and is covered with multi-coloured flowers. The gathering process requires great dexterity and patience. The flowers are carefully cut one by one and laid in willow-baskets which are then sent to the distilleries.