Khomein’s rosewater festival receives national recognition

TEHRAN – An annual festival dedicated to roses and rosewater has been officially registered on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, marking an important milestone for Khomein’s Shahabieh village.

Highlighting the deep historical roots and authenticity within the province, Khomein’s cultural heritage chief pointed out that the roses and rosewater, mainly produced in the Shahabieh area, are not only important local products but also an integral part of the cultural identity of the region.

Ali Mashhadi noted that thanks to a rich heritage and the efforts of the provincial organizations, the festival has been successfully added to the national calendar of tourism events.

“Henceforth, the festival would take place annually from May 8 to 10,” Mashhadi noted. “Now officially recognized as Rose and Rose Water Days.”

This period marks a lively celebration in Shahabieh village, where visitors from across the country gather to experience the unique scents and beauty of roses, in addition to the traditional art of distilling rose water, the official said.

Mashhadi explained that the inclusion of this event in the tourism calendar aims to streamline and professionalize tourism in the region while organizing new tourist destinations and routes.

“It is expected that this initiative will significantly boost the local economy by increasing the influx of tourists,” the chief further explained. “Who are not only attracted to the festival, but also to the rich cultural offer of the area.”

During the three-day event, Shahabieh village turns into a bustling hub of activity, Mahhadi added.

The official, in his closing remarks, said the organized programs included a varied range of stalls showcasing exquisite local handicrafts and a special exhibition for rose and rose water products.

Golab or rose water is obtained from a particular type of rose, known in Iran as Mohammadi roses. Harvesting flowers seems to be the most important part of the process. They must be picked very carefully from sunrise to morning. The petals are placed in massive copper pots and boiled, and then the extracted water is stored in special bottles. The longer the distillation takes, the better the quality of the rose water will be.

Golab is used nationwide in various traditional dishes to flavor them or is also consumed as a religious perfume.

The distillation of flowers and herbs has a deep history in Iran. Many believe that traditionally distilled rose water is of higher quality than the water produced in factories, likely due to shorter time intervals between harvest and distillation practices.

XF/AM