Students from the Kollaps Research Club of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences took part in the prestigious Mouillette d'Argent perfume competition. This year's edition was centred around the aroma of rockrose (Cistus). In the picturesque gardens of Barcelona, not only did the scents of this Mediterranean plant melt away, but the excitement of young perfume creators from all over the world could also be felt.
Among the finalists was Szymon Sroka, a student of cosmetics technology, who presented his original fragrance composition “Balladyna” – inspired by the drama by Juliusz Słowacki.
"This fragrance starts like a memory. Early spring, a quiet day at my parents' house. The aroma of raspberry syrup in hot tea, and next to me – an open book: Balladyna," says the author. "The scent opens with the sweetness of raspberries and honey, evoking feelings of innocent love. It then deepens into black tea and rockrose – earthy and bitter, like Balladyna's growing jealousy. The base – labdanum and white musk – is a quiet echo of the crime that sealed her sister's fate."