During the Levant’s crusades, Westerners introduced the rose to the Levant. This is why the Damascene rose was named after the Syrian capital, Damascus. It's not a native rose, but a hybrid rose between Rosa gallica and Rosa moschata. It has no original home.
The practice of harvesting roses every year is widespread in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, Damascus, and rural areas. Damask rose cultivation currently occurs in Syria in al-Mrah town, located in eastern Qalamun province in northern Rif Dimashq province.
Yellow soil is ideal for growing the Damask rose; it is fertile and rich in nutrients. According to the agricultural engineer, the flower grows best in soil that is well-drained and does not have a lot of salinity. The soil is fertilized with humus (decomposed organic materials such as leaves and animal waste) and no chemical fertilizer is required.
The practices and crafts associated with the Damascene Rose are mainly practiced by Al-Mrah village farmers and families; they possess expert knowledge in producing essential oils and traditional medicines from the Damascene Rose, among other things.
Al-Mrah village is the site of the yearly Damascene Rose Festival, which starts in May as the Damascene Rose begins to bloom and the annual festival kicks off. Farmers and their families go to the fields early in the morning to hand pick the roses and return home by the afternoon. The village women work together to make rose syrup and jam, as well as pastries as they sing along to local tunes.
Apothecaries sell dried Damascene Roses for their medicinal benefits. The rosebuds are dried to make tea. The other rose petals are stored and prepared to be distilled. People from many surrounding villages attend the festival and take part in it. Dishes infused with Rose are presented by women, while a compilation of folk songs and incantations is sung by all the participants.
The festival is a tribute to the element's importance for its bearers and their commitment to its safeguarding. People add the essential oil to wax melt burners or incense burners to get its fresh and pleasant scent. Rose oil is useful for a variety of purposes.
The festival attracts villagers from the surrounding areas, they participate and enjoy the atmosphere. Women offer rose-infused dishes, and everyone sings a variety of folk songs and incantations celebrating the Rose. The festival honors those who are committed to safeguarding the element’s unfading cultural significance for the next generations.