Azerbaijani Khari-Bulbul flower blooms at Madrid’s Royal Botanical Garden PHOTO

The Khari-Bulbul (Ophrys caucasica) flower, regarded as a symbol of peace, has blossomed once again at the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid.

The flowering coincides with the upcoming 34th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, local media reports per the Azerbaijani Embassy in Spain.

The plant was gifted to the Royal Botanical Garden in 2023 on the initiative of the Azerbaijani Embassy, in honour of the 100th birthday of Azerbaijan’s national leader, Heydar Aliyev. Beyond its natural beauty, the Khari-Bulbul represents the deep cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Spain.

Maria-Paz Martin Esteba, the garden’s director, described the Khari-Bulbul as “a charming piece of Azerbaijani nature in the heart of Madrid.” Given the plant’s delicate nature, it will be housed in a special orchid greenhouse and will be open for public viewing during the spring months.

Khari means “bee” and bulbul means “nightingale”. Kharibulbul is a rare endemic species in Azerbaijan and in the world. This plant is found in the territory of Karabakh. It is famous for its beauty.

In Azerbaijan, the flower is still used in traditional medicine. It is a symbol of Azerbaijan, Shusha, and Karabakh.

By Aghakazim Guliyev