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Colorful parade marks Rose Festival in Bulgaria's Kazanlak

Sunday, 7 June 2026, 22:16

Rose Queen Denitsa Malcheva and her runners-up led the traditional procession through the central streets of Kazanlak

Rose Queen Denitsa Malcheva and her runners-up led the traditional procession through the central streets of Kazanlak

PHOTO Emil Enchev

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A colorful parade with a record number of participants in Kazanlak marked the 123rd Rose Festival.

The Rose Festival began in the morning with the rose picking and rose brewing rituals displayed in the gardens between Kazanlak and Kran, and later the new Rose Queen Denitsa Malcheva and her runners-up led the traditional procession through the central streets of Kazanlak.

President Iliana Iotova also joined the festivities, noting that we must remember the people who started this tradition more than 100 years ago and thanks to which Kazanlak is the world capital of roses.

A record number of nearly 7 thousand participants took part in the festive parade this year. Representatives of schools and kindergartens, cultural institutions, community centers, sports and dance clubs.

Guests from the twin cities of Kazanlak also joined in, who are visiting with their own groups for the international folklore festival.

PHOTO Emil Kazanlak

Thousands of guests also flocked from all over the world for the Rose Festival.




PHOTO Emil Enchev

Report by BNR Radio Stara Zagora Ivan Slavov

Photos: Emil Enchev

Edited by R. Petkova