TEHRAN – A flower festival dedicated to chrysanthemum is scheduled to be held in Mahallat, central Markazi province, ISNA reported on Tuesday.

The festival, from October 19 to November 6, aims at promoting the city as a flower center and tourist destination, said Mohammadreza Shafiei, one of the organizers of the exhibit.

Such festivals will also contribute to attracting more tourists to the region, he added.

Chrysanthemums are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Most species originate from East Asia and the center of diversity is in China. Countless horticultural varieties and cultivars exist.

In Iran, chrysanthemums are associated with the Zoroastrian spiritual being Ashi Vanghuhi (good blessings, rewards), and a female angel presiding over blessings.

The oldest and perhaps most beautiful evidence of flower bouquets in Iran is found in the stone carvings of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis. Over 2500 years old, the stone carvings show Darius I (550 – 486 BC), holding the scepter of authority in one hand and a lotus flower with two buds in his right hand, a symbol of royalty.

Flowers have also thrived in the Persian language. Many girls are named after flowers: Ra’na (Blanket Flowers), Shaghayegh (Anemone), Banafsheh (Violet), Yaasaman (Jasmine), Niloofar (Lotus flower), Nastaran (Eglantine), Laleh (Tulip), Narges (Daffodil), etc.

Mahallat is famous for its large flower gardens. Some even call the city the ‘Holland of Iran’ likening it to the Netherlands in terms of diversity of flowers.

ABU/MG