TEHRAN – In the last days of spring, the historical Chalabi Oghlou complex, nestled in Soltaniyeh, northwestern Iran, is playing host to a rosewater distillation (known as Golab-Giri in Persian) festival.

“The rosewater festival is aimed at putting traditional distillation processes on show for enthusiasts,” a local official in charge of tourism noted on Monday.

In an interview with IRNA, Parvane Asgari highlighted that past year’s festival received an overwhelming response from both locals and tourists, making the city hold a similar event for the second year.

Holding such events at treasured historical sites, she underscored, is focused on presenting the rich cultural heritage capacities lie within the county.
Arranging vibrant festivals, could lead to drawing tourists to a greater extent, Asgari continued.

“The five-day festival will come to an end on June 24,” the official winded up.
Golab-Giri or rosewater festival, is observed annually during May and June, when the country’s lush rose fields bloom and produce an exquisite scent.
During the festival, people come together to witness the rose petals being distilled to create the fragrant oil.

A Golab-Giri festival begins with a procession of the locals carrying baskets of roses to local distilleries. The flowers are then sorted and placed in large copper pots where they are boiled to produce oil. The pots are made from bricks, stones, and mud.

The festival-goers may watch the process of a time-honored distillation, the steam rising from the pots as the fragrant oil is captured in jars.

Aside from the actual production of rosewater, the attendees may roam through vibrant bazaars where local vendors sell all sorts of rose-infused products, such as perfumes, soaps, and even tea. In fact, rosewater is an essential ingredient in Persian cuisine. Furthermore, there are various musical and cultural events, including folk dances and traditional performances.

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

Rosewater is traditionally produced from a very sweet-smelling kind of flower, best known as Mohammadi roses in the country.

80 liters of water and almost 30 kilograms of rose petals are added to each pot, which is connected to metal pipes to allow steam to pass through to create the hydrosol. Distillation waste can either be fed to animals or composted.

Locals believe that rose oil and rosewater have therapeutic rewards. Some say rose oil calms the mind and relieves depression, grief, stress, and tension. Narratives say that rosewater products help improve skin health, colds, and digestive system issues.

A highlight of the Iranian cultural calendar, Golab-Giri is a reminder of the importance of preserving and appreciating these ancient customs and traditions that have been passed down through generations. However, it is not merely a celebration of the rose harvest, but also a celebration of Iranian hospitality and generosity.
XF/AM