The Faculty of Horticulture with Viticulture of Agricultural University –Plovdiv celebrates the holiday Trifon - the Pruner

On 14^th of February, in the village of Brestnik, among the vineyards of the Agricultural University-Plovdiv, the Rector`s Council, representatives of state, regional and local authorities, education and business participated in the celebration of the holiday of vine-growers and wine-makers, known as St. Trifon Zarezan. 

The first pruning of the vines for the season is the main ritual performed on this traditional Bulgarian wine celebration. The holiday marks the dividing line between the outgoing winter and the onset of spring. There are many rituals performed to ensure vitality and fruitfulness. The man who harvested most grapes in the year is appointed “King” and he, together with guests and colleagues, participates in the ritual of pruning vineyards and blessing the next harvest. The more wine is poured on that day, the more generous the next harvest is believed to be. People get together amongst the vines to feast. They sing songs, drink wine and dance celebrating Saint Trifon, and the end of the winter.

The hosts and the guests of the event celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Experimental Wine Cellar of the University - the only one in Bulgaria for micro production with experimental character, in which a collection of wines from over 450 grape varieties is stored. Prof. Dr. Hristina Yancheva, Rector of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, greeted the guests warmly and announced that this year the University will celebrate its 75^th anniversary since its establishment. True to its traditions, today it is a modern national and European educational, research and implementation center integrated in the European educational space, with a significant contribution to the sustainable and intelligent growth of the agricultural sector, tourism business and regional development.