STORY: Damascene Rose faces challenges amid changing weather conditions
SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024
DATELINE: June 5, 2024
LENGTH: 00:04:23
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Damascene Rose harvest
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer
3. various of the Damascene Rose harvest
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer
5. various of the Damascene Rose harvest
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer

STORYLINE:

In the mountainside town of Al-Marah, north of the Syrian capital Damascus, the famous Damask Rose, also known as the Damascene 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 Damascene 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, the fields of Damascene Roses in Al-Marah became military zones, disrupting the cultivation of the national product of Syria. After the liberation of Qalamoun, farmers were once hopeful about salvaging the rose and continuing their family legacy.

However, the changing weather conditions in the past 20 years, particularly the recent changes, have impacted the rose's normal growth process. Muhammad Jamal Abbas, a 62-year-old Damask Rose farmer, noted that the rose typically thrives in cold conditions, but this year has experienced fluctuations between different seasons in 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.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer
"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."

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.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer 
"As farmers, we are affected by low prices. The rent is not enough for all this hard work. 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. There should be traders who market the goods for us so that we can be more active, work more, and maintain them better."

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 Damascene Rose alive in the face of all kinds of adversities.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MUHAMMAD JAMAL ABBAS, Damask Rose farmer 
"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. My children in university come to work with us on holidays, and some days they skip to help us, so they can learn the profession because there is a lot of hard work involved and you cannot distance yourself from this profession. I stay here every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., summer and winter, I do not feel myself except when I am here." 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)