Rose-picking
Description
In the mid 19th century the so-called Rose Valley was formed in the area between Kazanlak, Karlovo and Strelcha - all famous rose producers in the country. Strelcha is the biggest rose-production region in Bulgaria - a fact little known but significant enough. Oil-yielding roses are grown to over 4200 acres of agricultural land and this has been a traditional local means of livelihood and occupation for centuries. The unique combination of fertile soil and a favorable climate create conditions for the extraction of the highest quality rose oil in Bulgaria. Additionally, lavender is also grown in open fields in the area. Late spring is the rose-picking season in Bulgaria - the lovely, yet also tiring ceremony of collecting the rose blossoms of the oil-bearing Rosa Damascena and Rosa Alba varieties. Traditionally in Strelcha the rose-picking activity is carried out and celebrated in spring time, usually mid May. Rose-picking lasts some twenty days - from the end of May to mid-June, the blossoms are immediately processed in a ceaseless round-the-clock rhythm. The production of 1 kg of rose oil necessitates 3-3,5 tonnes of red or 5-6 tonnes of white oleagnous rose blossoms. Rose-picking is done manually at daybreak when there is dew on the blossoms. The blossoms must not be fully open to keep their qualities in tact. The water-steam distillation makes the Bulgarian ethereal rose oil, known as 'rose attar' a valuable component of many perfumes and cosmetic products. Besides in cosmetics, it is also used in medicine and in aromatherapy.The rose blossoms so picked up are transferred to purchasing points. The main buyers are 'Bulgarian Rose' - Plovdiv, 'Bulgarian Rose' - Kazanlak, 'RozaBul' and 'MIG 93' of Strelcha citizen Genchev Ilko, owner of a private distillery for distillation of essential oils in Strelcha. He built the rose distillery in 1999 and since then has been overwhelmed with orders from abroad.Rose-pisking is not only a symbol of beauty, carried through the centuries to the present day, but also part of the mentality of strelchans, their traditions and way of life of the community.