Barcelona dresses up for the International New Rose Competition

Barcelona is hosting a very special edition of the International New Roses Competition, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. From May 9th to 11th—and coinciding with the rose blooming season—Cervantes Park will once again become the epicenter of this internationally recognized event, which pays tribute to beauty, innovation, and biodiversity through one of the most emblematic flowers: the rose.

Organized by Barcelona City Council through the Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens, the competition annually brings together breeders and growers of new rose varieties from around the world, who present unique specimens created from crosses between existing rose bushes or that are products of their own. These are unique varieties that have not yet been marketed. The rose varieties in the competition are evaluated by both the expert jury and a jury of master perfumers and the public. Alongside the competition, a program of activities for all audiences will be held to introduce the public to the world of roses, with floral and culinary art demonstrations and music concerts.

A reference event

The Barcelona International New Rose Competition, held for a quarter of a century in the Rosaleda gardens of the Parque de Cervantes, offers a chance to discover the latest developments in the sector while bringing together the most prestigious rose experts on the international scene. A reserved space in these gardens houses the award-winning rose bushes from each edition of the previous competitions.

This year, the competition resumes its full program after a 2024 marked by drought and irrigation restrictions in Catalonia, which forced the cancellation of some of its public activities. The improved water reserves and the easing of restrictions allow for a commemorative edition full of participatory public activities.

Activities for all tastes

Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy guided tours, concerts, family workshops, rose cooking demonstrations, floral art displays, and much more. Highlights include a cooking demonstration led by Ada Parellada, and a show. The rose of Sant Jordi and the concert by the Cobla Sant Jordi band from the City of Barcelona. One of the most anticipated moments will be the Citizen Rose voting, where visitors can choose their favorite variety from those submitted to the competition, bringing the floral selection process closer to everyone, from the most knowledgeable to the most curious.

Planned Activities

Friday afternoon

• Citizen Rose Vote.
• Guided tours: general, specific and environmental.
• Music concert with the Cobla de Sant Jordi, Barcelona.

Saturday morning

• Citizen Rose Vote.
• Guided tours, both general and specific.
• Gastronomy demonstration with roses: "Ada Parellada's Showcooking: The rose in the pot and on the plate!"
• Floral art demonstration with the Barcelona School of Floral Design and Landscaping.
• Family workshops: planting, floral makeup, and theater performance The rose of Sant Jordi.

Saturday afternoon

• Citizen Rose Vote.
• Guided tours: general, specific and environmental.
• Conference/workshop "Old roses and how to extract their active ingredients", with Alberto Miralta, fromHe Lilac Garden.
• Music concert.
• Family workshops: planting, floral makeup, and theater performance The rose of Sant Jordi.

Sunday morning

• Citizen Rose Vote.
• Guided tours: general, specific and environmental.
• Session "Roses: Questions and Answers", by Jordi Catalán Julià, Master Gardener.
• Floral art demonstration: "Roses in Our Hands," with Dan Collado of the Florists Guild of Catalonia.
• Family carvings: planting, floral-themed makeup, and theater performance The rose of Sant Jordi.
• Giants and big heads.
• Proclamation of the general list of winners and the list of winners of the Citizen Rose.

This event, created in 2001 to promote the dissemination and promotion of Roserar, always coincides with the first rose bloom and awards the best new specimens created by rose breeders from around the world, according to the criteria of a prestigious international jury. The Competition is part of the global circuit that recognizes the best new rose varieties, thus consolidating Barcelona as a benchmark in this sector.

The event is open to those who are fans of gardening, nature, roses, and music, and to families who want to enjoy a unique weekend surrounded by color and life.

Visit the website Barcelona.cat/concurrosas.