Zmeyovo’s herbal pelin comes to life on the eve of Christmas

On December 20, 2025, the village of Zmeyovo, near Stara Zagora, once again welcomes lovers of Bulgarian traditions and flavors to celebrate the Festival of Pelin. The village square becomes a lively meeting place, where local producers present their homemade pelin wines, hoping to win the prize for the best elixir. The jury evaluates each entry by its clarity, color, aroma, and drinkability.

The tasting is more than a sensory experience - it is a bridge to history and to the way generations have preserved their knowledge of herbs and the art of creating a drink with character and soul.

The technology used to make Zmeyovo pelin is quite different from the more popular Osmar pelin known across Bulgaria. It is prepared using a special herbal infusion and aged wine.

The drink was first produced by Stoyan Naydenov (born in 1881), a local owner of a winery, shop, and tavern. He created the original recipe and is honored today with a memorial plaque on the site of his former shop in the village.

On Saturday, Zmeyovo welcomes its guests with a rich folklore program, traditional songs and dances performed by local amateur groups and visiting ensembles. The aroma of Zmeyovo pelin blends with the festive food prepared for the occasion. The winter celebration is organized by the community center “Probuda-1928” and the Zmeyovo mayor’s office, with the support of Stara Zagora Municipality, bringing together residents and visitors for a shared winter experience.

Edited by Veneta Nikolova
English version: R. Petkova