Draganovo: The Birthplace of European Horticulture
For the first time, the picturesque village of Draganovo will host a unique competition centered on traditional Bulgarian food, particularly the beloved garden soup. This event coincides with the annual Gardener’s Festival, a cherished holiday that celebrates the village’s pivotal role in pioneering European horticulture.
Draganovo, widely recognized as the birthplace of horticulture in Europe, maintains a friendly rivalry with the neighboring village of Polikraishte, which also claims this title. “Our dispute is like the Hundred Years’ War,” jokes Draganovo’s mayor, Ivan Kishev. Despite this rivalry, Draganovo proudly honors its legacy through the Gardener’s Festival, which pays tribute to the hardworking men who taught Europeans how to cultivate exceptional fruits and vegetables.