A villager harvests Damascena (Damask) roses that are used for essential oils, sweets and cosmetics, in the village of Qsarnaba on May 11, 2023. The oil derived from the famed Damask rose --- named after the ancient city of Damascus located just across the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria -- is a staple of perfumers. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)
A villager harvests Damascena (Damask) roses that are used for essential oils, sweets and cosmetics, in the village of Qsarnaba on May 11, 2023. The oil derived from the famed Damask rose --- named after the ancient city of Damascus located just across the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria -- is a staple of perfumers. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP)
The oil derived from the famed Damask rose - named after the ancient city of Damascus on the other side of the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria - is a staple of perfumers
The oil derived from the famed Damask rose - named after the ancient city of Damascus on the other side of the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria - is a staple of perfumers
The flowers are believed to have infection-fighting and relaxant properties, while rose water is drunk across the Middle East, used in sweets such as Turkish delight and employed to scent mosques
The flowers are believed to have infection-fighting and relaxant properties, while rose water is drunk across the Middle East, used in sweets such as Turkish delight and employed to scent mosques
After a morning collecting roses, the workers in Qsarnaba drop their fragrant bundles at a warehouse in the village
After a morning collecting roses, the workers in Qsarnaba drop their fragrant bundles at a warehouse in the village
Zahraa Sayed Ahmed - whose first name means 'flower' - buys the raw materials to produce her rose water, syrup, tea and jam
Zahraa Sayed Ahmed - whose first name means 'flower' - buys the raw materials to produce her rose water, syrup, tea and jam
For four years she has processed the petals at her home, using a traditional metal still that originally belonged to her grandfather
For four years she has processed the petals at her home, using a traditional metal still that originally belonged to her grandfather
A kilogram of petals makes half a litre of rose water
A kilogram of petals makes half a litre of rose water
Zahraa says every home in the village has its own still. 'The production of rose water is a part of our heritage,' she says
Zahraa says every home in the village has its own still. 'The production of rose water is a part of our heritage,' she says
The rose season lasts for a busy few weeks in Qsarnaba
The rose season lasts for a busy few weeks in Qsarnaba
Hassan Al Dirani, 25, has been picking the flowers alongside his mother, Leila, because they could not afford to employ extra workers amid low production
Hassan Al Dirani, 25, has been picking the flowers alongside his mother, Leila, because they could not afford to employ extra workers amid low production
The harvest has lost about 80 percent of its value because of Lebanon's economic crisis, says local official Daher Al Dirani
The harvest has lost about 80 percent of its value because of Lebanon's economic crisis, says local official Daher Al Dirani
'But the roses help people put food on the table,' he adds
'But the roses help people put food on the table,' he adds

MENA

Lebanon

Scent of tradition lingers in Lebanon's village of roses - in pictures

Looking over Bekaa Valley, villagers on pink-dotted terraces gather Damask roses to use in essential oils, sweets and cosmetics

The National

May 18, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Spring flowers bloom in north-west Syria - in pictures

Where have all the flowers gone? India starts recycling religious ceremony leftovers

The woman who grows edible flowers in the desert for Dubai's Michelin-starred restaurants

Bees less likely to land on flowers sprayed with fertiliser, scientists say

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

On Women's Day
While you're here
While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
More on Quran memorisation:
AS IT STANDS IN POOL A

1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

Remaining fixtures

Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

While you're here
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
Updated: May 18, 2023, 11:18 AM`
Middle EastLebanon