Rose

Many of the workers in the bright-pink fields in this southwest Turkish province have an unexpected connection with the flowers they are tending. They are Syrian refugees working as itinerant laborers during Turkey's harvest of its prized Damascus rose. 

Bulgarian Rose-growers have complained about a poor harvest, with the yield dropping from a rate of 240 kilograms of rose petals per decare in 2014 to 90 kilograms per decare in 2015.

The Turkish Cultural Foundation's Culinary Arts Center YESAM in Istanbul has organized a cultural journey to the heart of the rose.

The campaign on the harvesting of the rose flowers has began in the region of Kazanlak, which is known as the Rose Valley of Bulgaria.

The producers are expecting a poorer harvest than last year's one, but a higher purchase prices for a kilogram of rose flower.

Bulgaria is the world leader in lavender growing and oil production after managing to steal the first place from France in just several years, French newspaper Figaro reported.