Розата като символ на дългогодишното приятелство между България и Китай. Произход на емблематичната казанлъшка маслодайна роза
The Rose as a Symbol of the Long-Standing Friendship between Bulgaria and China. The Origin of the Iconic Kazanlak Oil-Bearing Rose

Summary/Abstract: The rose holds a special place in the hearts of Bulgarians and Chinese alike, symbolizing the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations. This beautiful flower has been exchanged as a token of goodwill and mutual respect, strengthening the bond between Bulgaria and China over the years. In China, the Kazanlak oil-bearing rose has been cultivated since 2000, and the first distillation of rose oil took place in 2006. In early December 2008, a memorandum of cooperation between Bulgaria and China was signed, with the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose as one of the main areas of cooperation. Considering both bulk oil and high-volume value-added products, a reliable industry estimate is that China accounts for 15 – 25% of the total export value of Bulgarian rose products. This percentage has been growing significantly in recent years. According to a statement by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Lozana Vasileva on September 15, 2025, cooperation between Bulgaria and China in the field of agriculture and food is actively developing and expanding. The Kazanlak oil-bearing rose, also known as Rosa damascena Mill, is an emblem of Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Originating in the picturesque Rose Valley near the town of Kazanlak, this exquisite flower has been cultivated in Bulgaria for centuries to produce the world-renowned Bulgarian rose oil, prized for its exceptional quality and aromatic properties. Historiographical evidence suggests that the Thracians already had their own specific type of rose, possibly the one described in ancient Greek as “trendafil.” The established polymorphism (the presence of morphologically distinct individuals within the boundaries of a single species) found only in Bulgarian production plantations of the Kazanlak oil-bearing rose, the extensive introduction and selection work carried out over the last century, and the significant taxonomic differences not observed in other oil-bearing roses. The distribution area of the supposed parent plant species – all this gives us reason to claim that the Kazanlak oil-bearing rose has formed as a separate, distinct plant species on the Balkan Peninsula.

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