- Title: SYRIA: Damascene rose rises from the ashes
- Date: 7th June 2007
- Summary: VARIOUS OF MRAH TOWN
- Embargoed: 22nd June 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Environment / Natural World
- Reuters ID: LVAF2582W4Z5GU5VPXTV4L38JJA2
- Story Text: The Damascene Rose, a pink double flower, is being revived in its homeland after years of neglect. Originating from the Levant region, the fragrant flower's oils are used in the making of perfume and are also believed to have medical benefits in the treatment of skin conditions and some cancers.
The intense smell of the famed Damascene Rose, associated with a bygone era of romance and Arab grandeur, fills the foothills of the Qalmoun mountain range north of the Syrian capital.
The pink double flower is being revived in its birthplace after decades of neglect that almost sent its cultivation into extinction through a project led by a Syrian-Turkmen notable, whose village was once a major centre of production.
"It is originally from the Levant region, and its name is in a lot of western literature," said Amin al-Bitar, owner of a distillation factory.
"It is a part of our heritage that we have neglected but it has medical benefits and is very fragrant. It also has economic benefits, if it is taken care of," he added.
Al-Bitar has set up a small workshop in his village to extract rose water, dry the rosebuds and make jam from the petals but he has yet to find an efficient way to extract the expensive oil.
The project of reviving the Damascene Rose has attracted the attention of Syria's first, lady Asma al-Assad, who is championing the development of the Syrian countryside. Al-Assad recently visited the rose fields and asked officials to assist al-Bitar.
Although the Damascene Rose does not need much irrigation if there is enough rainfall, output declined as residents of the Turkmen village left agriculture for jobs in the bureaucracy and countries such as Turkey and Bulgaria became main producers of the rose.
The rose used to fill Damascus, one of the oldest cities of the world. It was cultivated heavily in the surrounding Gotah gardens, which were heavily bombed by the French occupation forces during the Great Syrian Revolt in the 1920's.
Al-Razi, an eminent Arab scientist who is buried in Damascus, wrote about distillation of the petals and its extracts, still thought to heal wounds and treat cancer. One Kilogram of Damascene Rose oil, which requires tones of petals, fetches thousands of dollars.
"The Rose Water is used for treating skin conditions, particularly the flower's oil as well as cancer treatments. Prices range from 500-900 (Syrian lira- per gram) which is similar to the price of gold," said Munir Ghellawi, owner of a perfume shop.
As Syria's commercial and cultural life declined and concrete blocks took over the capital's green spaces, so did the Damascene Rose.
Cheap imitations of the extracts now fill the Market. A shop called Damascus Rose sells tulips and imported roses but not the product it was named after.
The crusaders, who occupied parts of the Levant, brought back the Damascene Rose to Europe, although ancient Egyptians learnt its cultivation from Syria and sent it to Rome.
Legend has it that the Arab warrior Saladin carried a large amount of rosewater and sprinkled it over Jerusalem when he liberated the city from the crusaders in 1187.
Nizar Qabbai, an Arab literary giant, said the rose "condenses the history of perfume" and reminds his compatriots of the folly of letting their symbols fall into decay.
"I am your destitute moon, donate me a bed, I haven't slept for centuries," wrote the Syrian poet, who lived for years in exile before his death in 1998. "I am your Damascene Rose; put me in the first vase you find." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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