by Hummam Sheikh Ali

DAMASCUS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- In the mountainside town of Al-Marah north of Syrian capital Damascus, the famous Damask Rose is facing challenges due to fluctuating weather conditions and the aftermath of past battles.

Al-Marah, in the rugged Qalamoun region, is believed to be the original hometown of the world-famous Damask Rose, with a history dating back to Roman times when the rose was said to have been brought to England from the region.

During the first two years of the Syrian crisis that started in 2011, the fields of Damask Roses in Al-Marah became military zones, disrupting the care and cultivation of the national product of Syria. After the liberation of Qalamoun, farmers were hopeful about salvaging the rose and continuing their family legacy.

However, changing weather conditions in the past 20 years, particularly recently, have impacted the rose's normal growth process. Muhammad Jamal Abbas, a 62-year-old Damask Rose farmer, observed that while the rose typically thrives in cold conditions, this year has seen erratic temperature fluctuations, with different seasons seemingly occurring within a single day.

Abbas mentioned that the Syrian Trust for Development, which works in collaboration with various local and international partners to implement its projects and initiatives to contribute to the overall development and well-being of Syrian society, has provided assistance by installing water tanks and digging wells in the area to help boost Damask Rose production. Despite good rainfall this year, the changing weather conditions have necessitated increased watering of the rose to compensate for the lack of snow.

Abbas noted that the increased watering was crucial for ensuring a successful harvest this year. However, he also expressed concerns about how changing weather patterns may impact the Damask Rose harvest in the future.

"This region is the mother of the Damask Rose. This rose has been here since ancient times in our mountains and lands, it grows on its own and I cannot imagine it disappearing, but it may decline due to the weather. In the past, it used to snow a lot here and all this cultivation was high-quality. Now, we are affected by the changing weather, one day it's hot, one day it's windy, one day it's cold, so this rose is sensitive and the weather greatly affects it," he told Xinhua.

The Damask Rose was inscribed in 2019 on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlighting its significance as a Syrian heritage. Abbas emphasized the importance of local traders promoting the rose and its products to create stronger demand, especially in the face of sanctions affecting foreign markets.

"As farmers, we are affected by low prices. We want traders to come and buy from us and market it outside the country. This is what we want, to export the product so that our prices improve," he said.

Facing financial challenges, Abbas expressed his dedication to his land and the cultivation of the Damask Rose, stressing the importance of preserving his family heritage despite external obstacles. As weather patterns continue to shift, Abbas remains committed to keeping the legacy of the Damask Rose alive in the face of all kinds of adversities.

"It is primarily a national product from our Syrian heritage. We pass it down to our children from a young age and we are passionate about it and connected to it ... there is a lot of hard work involved and you cannot distance yourself from this profession. I stay here every day from 6 am to 6 pm, summer and winter, I do not feel myself except when I am here," he said. Enditem

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