Berlin will be hosting the 83rd edition of the International Green Week event in the period January 19 – 28th. The 1926-established fair has gained its reputation as a leading exhibition of foods, agriculture and horticulture worldwide. The program seizes over 300 forums, workshops and congresses, devoted to agriculture, food industry, rural development and biofuels. 80 agricultural ministers from all over the world are to meet in order to discuss options for development in the spheres of agriculture and foods. The improvement of farm animals’ living conditions not only in developed countries, but also globally will be a major topic. Being a partner country this year, Bulgaria has the unique opportunity to present its achievements in the spheres of agriculture and foods in front of 500,000 visitors to the Berlin exhibition. A total of 62 Bulgarian companies display traditional Bulgarian products, many of those having received their organic certification. The visitors have their chance to enjoy tasty Bulgarian foods and drinks, organic vegetables and fruit, jams, lyutenitsa, meat products, different cheese types – made from goat, cow or buffalo milk, also wines, brandy variations, beer and fruit juices.

The guests of the Bulgarian stand, situated on 1,600 m2 will be surprised with the tasting of various kinds of organic bee honey. There is even honey with rose blossoms which strengthens immunity and is highly appreciated in Japan and China. Few ladies would neglect the huge variety of cosmetic products, based on lavender and Bulgarian rose oil – common ingredient of world-famous perfumes. Perhaps the cold Berlin January would require an expected finish of the tour around the palace with a glass of wine – one of the traditional Bulgarian sorts would do: Mavrud, Melnik 55, Rubin or Red Misket. All those have captured the sun and flavor of this country.

Bulgaria has stuff to show to the world. It proved that at the unveiling of the Green Week on January 18th in front of 3,000 official guests. The rich cultural-musical program began with that impressive multimedia show, recreating the takeoff of the Voyger 1 and 2 international space aircrafts from Cape Canaveral with the golden CD onboard, containing among others the Bulgarian Izlel e Delyu Haydutin folk song. The talented dancers of the Balgare Ensemble with their dynamic Shopa region chain dances took good care of the audience’s mood.

The Quartet Intro of students from Plovdiv’s Music Academy and opera singer and world beatbox champion Adriana Nikolova-Pechenkata displayed a perfect combination of tradition and modernism. The impressive mixture of music genres made the viewers hold their breath or burst into applause.

Talented Bulgarian chefs were in charge of the Green Week’s culinary unveiling. The guests were invited to taste traditional dishes, common for the Bulgarian families: rolled grape vine or cabbage leaves with aromatic rice /sarma/, roasted pork, meatballs and sausages. The famous Shopska salad and Bulgarian cheese types were also well presented. Yoghurt with blueberries, baklava and baked pumpkin with nuts – those were the sweet temptations for the guests. Cultural wealth and sun flavor, served via culinary and all gathered in one night – that was Bulgaria’s night at Berlin!

English version: Zhivko Stanchev