Ритуалът Розобер

Традиция, която си струва да се сподели

Чувствам се невероятно щастлива, че съм израснала на място, толкова богато на традиции и красота. Тези ритуали не са просто за показ – те са част от нашата идентичност. Те ни напомнят да забавим темпото, да присъстваме и да почетем делото на поколенията преди нас.

Тазгодишният ритуал в Овощник – най-красивият и най-посещаваният досега, и с гордост мога да кажа, че моят невероятен танцов клуб „Хорцето ми е в сърцето“ изигра огромна роля в това. Радостта, енергията и любовта, които споделихме, бяха усетени от всички присъстващи – и се надявам, че чрез тази публикация и вие можете да ги усетите.

Заключителни мисли

Ако някога посетите България в края на май или началото на юни, искрено ви насърчавам да се отправите към Розовата долина. Независимо дали е за известния Фестивал на розата в Казанлък или за тиха сутрин сред полетата на Овощник, ще станете свидетели на нещо вечно – култура, която все още е дълбоко свързана със земята, с традицията и с общността.

Това преживяване ми напомни защо обичам толкова много да пиша в блога си, защото това са моментите, които заслужават да бъдат споделяни, запомняни и празнувани.

До следващия път,

A Morning in the Rose Fields: Tradition, Friendship & the Magic of Bulgarian Rose Oil

There are some experiences so rooted in beauty, tradition, and heritage that they stay with you forever—and this past weekend was one of them. I had the joy of taking part in the annual rose picking ritual near the village of Ovoshtnik, just a short drive from my hometown Kazanlak, right in the heart of Bulgaria’s Rose Valley.

We started before the sun had even risen. At 6 o’clock in the morning, the fields were still shrouded in mist, and the air carried the faint sweetness of thousands of blooming Damascena roses. My friends from our beloved folk dance club "Horceto mi e v sarceto" and I arrived early to set up, dressed in beautiful, colorful Bulgarian traditional costumes. There’s something magical about being surrounded by people you love, all connected by tradition, song, and a shared love for our cultural roots.

The Rose Picking Ritual

Rose picking is not just about harvesting flowers—it’s a sacred ritual in this part of the world. In the past, it was believed that the best time to pick roses was before sunrise, when the petals are soaked with morning dew and release the highest amount of their precious oil. That’s still how it’s done today.

As we stepped into the rows of rose bushes, the sky slowly began to brighten in soft pastel tones. With gentle hands and woven baskets in our arms, we picked the delicate pink petals, surrounded by the quiet hum of early morning. It was peaceful, meditative even—a beautiful reminder of how connected we are to nature and to centuries of tradition.

And the best part? This ritual is open to visitors. Tourists from around the world are warmly invited to witness the magic for themselves—especially in Ovoshtnik, where the experience is deeply authentic and heartfelt. This year’s event was particularly special and, without a doubt, the most viewed and talked-about celebration in the area. A huge reason for that was the energy, beauty, and spirit brought by my favorite dance club, "Horceto mi e v sarceto", who took part in every moment—from picking roses to performing traditional dances with full hearts.

From Petals to Gold: The Rose Brewing Process

After filling our baskets, we moved on to one of my favorite parts of the day: rose brewing. Huge traditional copper cauldrons were set up in the field, where the petals were slowly boiled with water to begin the process of extracting rose oil.

This is a moment that never fails to amaze me—watching something so delicate transform into one of the world’s most luxurious and valuable natural products. The steam from the cauldrons carried the most intoxicating scent—sweet, deep, and completely natural. That’s the essence of rose oil and this region is one of the very few places on Earth where it’s made in such pure, traditional ways.

Folk Dances, Songs & Celebration

No Bulgarian ritual is complete without music and dance. Once the brewing process began, our dance group gathered in the field to perform traditional Bulgarian horo dances, our feet kicking up dust, our voices lifting up the songs that have been passed down through generations. There’s nothing quite like dancing in the middle of a rose field, dressed in bright embroidery, laughing and moving together with your community.

The energy was incredible—joyful, proud, and deeply moving. We weren’t just performing; we were honoring our culture and bringing life to an ancient tradition. Our group, "Horceto mi e v sarceto", poured our hearts into every step, and it’s no surprise that the event was such a success this year. So many people came to watch, cheer, and even join in the dancing. It truly became the highlight of the season.

Kazanlak & Bulgaria’s Rose Valley: The Heart of the Global Rose Oil Industry

For those of you who don’t know, Kazanlak—my hometown—is at the very heart of the Rose Valley, a region famous worldwide for producing the highest quality rose oil used in perfumes, cosmetics, and skincare products around the globe.

The Bulgarian Damascena rose has been cultivated here for centuries, and the oil extracted from it is known as “liquid gold.” Just to give you an idea—it takes around 3,000 to 4,000 kilograms of rose petals to produce just 1 kilogram of rose oil. That’s why it’s one of the most expensive essential oils in the world.

Major perfume houses—like Dior, Chanel, and Guerlain—use Bulgarian rose oil in their signature fragrances. It’s not just a scent; it’s a symbol of quality, depth, and authenticity. And it all starts here—in the early morning light of the rose fields in Bulgaria.

Why Rose Oil is So Special

Beyond its use in high-end perfumes, Bulgarian rose oil has been praised for its many natural benefits:

• Soothing and anti-inflammatory properties for skincare

• Emotional balancing in aromatherapy

• Antibacterial and antioxidant qualities

Its complex aroma—a mix of floral, spicy, and slightly honey-like notes—makes it truly irreplaceable in natural beauty and wellness.

And unlike synthetic rose fragrances, pure Bulgarian rose oil carries with it the story of the land, the tradition, and the hands that made it. Every drop tells a story.

A Tradition Worth Sharing

I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in a place so rich with tradition and beauty. These rituals aren’t just for show—they’re part of our identity. They remind us to slow down, to be present, and to honor the work of generations before us.

This year’s ritual in Ovoshtnik felt extra special—the most beautiful and most visited one yet, and I’m so proud to say that my amazing dance club "Horceto mi e v sarceto" played a huge role in that. The joy, energy, and love we shared were felt by everyone present—and I hope, through this post, you can feel it too.

Final Thoughts

If you ever visit Bulgaria in late May or early June, I truly encourage you to make your way to the Rose Valley. Whether it’s for the famous Rose Festival in Kazanlak or a quiet morning in the fields of Ovoshtnik, you’ll witness something timeless—a culture still deeply connected to the earth, to tradition, and to community.

This experience reminded me why I love blogging—because these are the moments that deserve to be shared, remembered, and celebrated.