In the next episode of the “On The Road” podcast series, we visit the Bulgarian town of Kazanlak, located in the Valley of the Roses. This region – also rich in UNESCO World Heritage sites – is primarily famous for its sprawling rose fields which stretch for kilometres, with their flowering cycle shaping the local calendar of celebrations.
Why did the cultivation of these beautiful plants develop here? What are the secrets behind the production of rose oil, which is a key ingredient in many popular perfumes? John Beauchamp and Katarzyna Jagodzińska speak with Denitsa Barekova from the Rose Museum in Kazanlak about the extraordinary history of these flowers, their significance to the entire region, and the traditional methods of producing rose oil and other related products. In addition to exploring the history and traditions of its production, we also visit the Lema rose oil distillery on the outskirts of Kazanlak, where we meet Aleks, who works there. He shares insights into the current state of the industry and expresses hopes for the future.
This is one of those podcasts that engages not only the sense of hearing but also the sense of smell. We warmly invite you to a multisensory experience!