Irina Bokova

On May 6, 2009, the participants in the international conference on “Protection of Cultural Heritage and Promotion of Cultural Diversity – a Response to Globalization” visited the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The participants in the Conference visited the city of Kazanlak, known as the centre of the Rose Valley in Bulgaria. The region around Kazanlak is where the oil-yielding rose is grown, from which the world-famous Kazanlak rose oil is made. They were welcomed by the city’s mayor, Stefan Damyanov, and by the Governor of the district of Stara Zagora, Maria Neykova.

The participants were also welcomed by Dr. Kosyo Zarev, director of the History Museum of Kazanlak, and together they visited the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, which is situated in a mound not far from the city. It was discovered accidentally in 1944 and dates back to the late 4th century B.C. It is believed to have been built for a Thracian nobleman and close associate of the Odrysian King Seuthes. It comprises three chambers decorated with ornamental frescoes and painted murals.

The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak is a rare example of Thracian architectural craftsmanship and the art of painting during the Hellenistic period. It is the oldest in Europe, and the only one with preserved frescoes.

The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Committee session of 1979 in Luxor, Egypt.

The participants in the Conference also visited the ‘Golyama Kosmatka’ Thracian Mound not far from Kazanlak. It was discovered in 2004 and is one of the grandest and richest Thracian tombs, consisting of a fully-preserved burial chamber of a Thracian king who was buried with his horse. It dates back to the 3rd century B.C.