Festival of the Green-Brier

One of the most colourful events in the Strandzha Mountain is approaching, traditionally held in mid-May. The Strandzha rhododendron, known as a relict species preserved to the present day only on the territory of Strandzha and the Caucasus, will gather in the village of Brodilovo on 14 and 15 May nature lovers, tourists and friends of the mountain.

The Festival of the Strandzha Rhododendron is organized by the Directorate of Strandzha Nature Park, which this year has once again prepared various routes for all those wishing to get to know the picturesque nature of the Strandzha Mountain. See the routes HERE

FESTIVAL OF THE STRANDZHA RHODODENDRON – 2022 – 18th  EDITION

14-15 May 2022 (Saturday and Sunday)

“Harmanyata” area, Brodilovo village, Tsarevo Municipality

The Strandzha rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) is an evergreen shrub reaching a height of 2-3 m. The leaves are glossy green, large, oblong-lanceolate and glabrous. The stem has a smooth grey bark. The flowers are large, purple-pink, gathered at the tips of the twigs in umbel-like inflorescences. The plant is distributed on steep slopes and deep ravines as a second understorey layer in forests of Eastern beech and Eastern durmast oak in Strandzha. Its range of distribution is highly restricted and is closely linked to specific soil and climatic conditions.

The Strandzha rhododendron is one of the relict Tertiary species preserved to the present day solely in Strandzha and in the Caucasus. Because of its beautiful large flowers, it has been adopted as a symbol of Strandzha Nature Park.

It has a prolonged flowering period from mid-April to mid-June, depending on the spring temperatures.

The festival is implemented with the financial support of the Executive Forest Agency, Malko Tarnovo Municipality, Tsarevo Municipality and the South-Eastern State Enterprise – Sliven.