Maria Shamburova was crowned as Kazanlak’s 57th Rose Queen

The coronation show of the Rose Queen marked the beginning of the culminating days of the Rose Festival in Kazanlak. The festival will continue until June 8, when Maria Shamburova and her runners-up will lead a colorful procession of thousands through the streets of the city.

"Kazanlak is the only city that has a symbol – the rose – and it has become a symbol of all Bulgaria", said National Assembly Speaker Natalia Kiselova. The story of the oil-bearing rose was told during the show, after which Rose Queen Maria Shamburova was crowned by Kazanlak Mayor Galina Stoyanova. Over the next year, she and her runners-up will represent Kazanlak and the oil-yielding rose around the world.