Dawn of Roses: A Persian Fragrance Dream in Kashan

When the morning light of May pierces through the mist over the central plateau of Iran, Kashan is enveloped in a dream woven by roses. Amid the mountain slopes at an altitude of 1,600 meters, layer upon layer of rose terraces resemble the rouge of the earth. Pink and white, crimson flowers unfurl in the morning dew, their rich fragrance drifting with the wind, luring swarms of bees to hum in harmony. Before the darkness of dawn fully dissipates, flower farmers wearing traditional headscarves have already been shuttling through the flower bushes with bamboo baskets in hand, their fingertips carry the tenderness passed down through generations. They only pick the flower buds with tightly wrapped petals, those on the verge of blooming—these are the prime materials for crafting top - tier rose products.

The creaking oxcarts loaded with roses make their way towards the workshops, and the fragrance floating in the air grows even more intense. Inside the distillation room, the ancient copper distillers glisten with a warm luster. Craftsmen lay fresh roses and water in the distillation kettle in the right proportion. As the firewood crackles, steam carrying the essence of roses rises, condenses, and finally turns into crystal-clear rose water. Extracting rose essential oil requires even more intricate processes. It takes hundreds of kilograms of roses to yield just a few grams of essential oil. Each drop is a concentration of sunlight, rain, and the craftsmen's painstaking efforts.

During the Rose Festival, the streets and alleys of Kashan transform into a sea of joy. Archways adorned with roses are erected in the main square. Men and women dressed in traditional Persian attire sing and dance, while tambourines and suonas play cheerful melodies. Children run around, giggling, holding sugar paintings in the shape of roses. The air is filled with the mingled scents of the crispy aroma of grilled lamb and the sweet fragrance of roses. Tourists and local residents alike enter the rose fields, experiencing picking under the guidance of flower farmers, or gather outside the distillation workshops, watching in awe as roses are transformed into nectar.

This multi-day extravaganza has long transcended the realm of a simple harvest celebration. The techniques of rose cultivation and processing are passed down from generation to generation through hands-on practice. Master craftsmen patiently teach children how to distinguish between different rose varieties and master the right distillation temperature. Folklorists recount the cultural imagery of roses in Persian poetry and paintings at the festival site. Young designers incorporate rose elements into modern clothing and handicrafts. The rose, this symbolic flower of Iranian culture, continues to nourish the people of this land amidst the festive songs and laughter, writing the next chapter in its thousand-year-old fragrant legend.