TAIF: Something wonderful happens annually in the city of Taif, which is situated over Al-Hada Mountain above Makkah and on the eastern slopes of the Sarawat Mountains. Known locally as the “City of Roses,” each year, Taif bursts into bloom with thousands of soft pink, fragrant roses.
For years, roses have played an important part in various Saudi ceremonies, including weddings and formal occasions. Today, the roses are harvested across Taif and then turned into rose oil and water.
The Taif Rose Festival is held in celebration of this harvest and is currently taking place until May 5.
The third Taif Rose Festival kicked off recently, honoring the city’s rich cultural legacy as a popular tourist destination in the Makkah region and attracting the participation of both locals and tourists.
Around 1 million people gather in and around Taif to witness the festival’s joyous atmosphere.
The festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture to celebrate the cultural and creative values that have been associated with the Taif rose for nine centuries, in collaboration with the Taif Municipality and with funding from the Quality of Life Program, a Saudi Vision 2023 Realization Program.
The festival also provides a platform for local business to showcase their rose-based products.
Ahmed Al-Madani, who traveled all the way from Madinah along with his family, told Arab News that the festival is a must-visit for everyone.
“I am happy to have come all the way from Madinah to enjoy a variety of engaging events,” he said, referencing the various areas dedicated to food, performances, children’s activities and more.
Among the aims of the festival is that of empowering local men and women to develop their skills in cultivating roses and improve their products.
At one of the many stalls selling fragrant roses, 52-year-old Walid Al-Boadani, who has been in the business for 20 years, said that the activities of the Taif Rose Festival have allowed rose farmers to gain much experience.
Khalid Al-Amri, a resident of the Shifa area in Taif and a specialist in Taif roses, told Arab News that his passion for the flowers began in childhood, growing up among the roses of his parents and grandparents.
While it remains a mystery as to how the Taif rose arrived in the area, Al-Amri said it is believed to have come with visiting delegations to the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the Hijaz area, while others say that it has Indian, Damascene or Turkish origins.
“Rose farms across Taif produce nearly 850 tons of rose water yearly with 40,000 tolas of rose oil,” Al-Amri explained. “Each tola is made from 12,000 roses.”
Various events were held on the sidelines of the festival to inform visitors and tourists of the culture surrounding the Taif rose and to render the festival an important economic contributor to sustainable development in the Kingdom.
Investment in Taif roses in the Saudi market reached over SAR64 million ($17 million), with rose farms in the Sarawat Mountains in the governorate of Taif harvesting about 550 million roses annually, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
This year, the Ministry of Culture introduced for the first time the Taif Rose Festival Forum under the theme “Roses from Taif to the World,” which aimed to provide a platform for rose farmers and administrators to collaborate with leading brands, accelerating the export of Taif roses to international markets.
The event spanned two days and brought together renowned Saudi and international speakers to discuss cutting-edge topics related to the fragrance industry.
In addition to the expert panel discussions, Saudi and international trainers presented specialized workshops on perfumery-related topics.
Furthermore, the forum held an exhibition, bringing together prominent international brands, rose farmers, and investors to discuss rose production, innovative farming methods, and opportunities for cooperation to benefit the industry.
Taif bursts into color as annual Rose Festival kicks off
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Taif bursts into color as annual Rose Festival kicks off
- The Taif Rose Festival is held in celebration of this harvest and is currently taking place until May 5
- Around 1 million people gather in and around Taif to witness the festival’s joyous atmosphere
Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter
- Message delivered to minister during meeting in Riyadh
RIYADH: King Salman has received a letter from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inviting him to the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.
The message was delivered to Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd during a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.
The two sides held cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest.
The 45th GCC Summit takes place in Kuwait on Sunday.
King Salman asks people of Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain
RIYADH: King Salman called on Muslims in Saudi Arabia to pray on Thursday for rain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“Everyone who is able should be keen to perform the prayer, in accordance with the tradition of Prophet Muhammad,” the Royal Court said.
Muslims are often asked to pray for rainfall in times of drought or other water shortages.
Global Harmony event concludes with celebration of Egyptian culture in Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture
RIYADH: The Global Harmony initiative concludes its third edition with a week-long celebration of Egyptian music, art and tradition in Suwaidi Park as part of Riyadh Season.
Running from Nov. 24-30 and organized by the Ministry of Media, the event invites visitors to experience Egypt’s rich heritage through a range of cultural activities.
Speaking to Arab News, Egyptian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Tarek El-Meligy highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the two nations. “The Egyptian community is the most harmonious, coexistent and understanding in a positive way within Saudi society,” he said.
“If you ask any Egyptian which country they would like to live in after Egypt, they will say Saudi Arabia.”
Sarry Shaaban, an executive and consultant at the General Entertainment Authority, said: “We are talking about millions of visitors, both residents and Saudis, entering the park. Whether I’m a resident, a Saudi or from a country hosting the event, it provides an opportunity for residents to learn about your culture, colors, explore its arts, food, crafts, and traditional industries.”
Live music and dance performances displaying Egypt’s cultural traditions, with the rhythm of drums and flutes and performers in traditional costumes, have brought the life and spirit of Cairo’s streets to Riyadh.
A separate bazaar area has been set up featuring Egyptian cuisine, traditional clothing and handcrafted items.
“An event like this carries positive messages and highlights something we strive to emphasize every day, that we are one people, united by love and affection,” said El-Meligy.
Egyptian Sameh Nabil emphasized the feel of unity: “This initiative brought us closer together as Egyptians, and with Saudis here, I feel like we are brothers. I always feel like we are not expatriates.”
And visitor Khaled Zahir said: “This event reflects the love, connection and affection between Egyptians living in the Kingdom and Saudis.”
Egyptians make up 11 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population, according to the Saudi Census, meaning such exhibitions are important in promoting mutual respect and harmony.
El-Meligy said Saudi Arabia hosted the largest Egyptian expatriate community abroad, with remittances from those in the Kingdom forming a significant part of their home nation’s income.
“In recent months, remittances from Egyptians abroad have increased substantially, thanks to the facilities between the two countries and the confidence in both the Saudi and Egyptian economies,” he added.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt continue to strengthen their political relationship through agreements in trade, tourism, energy and culture. In his October visit to Cairo, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss investment opportunities and the establishment of a supreme coordination council to deepen bilateral relations.
Trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt saw a 35.16 percent annual increase in the first half of 2024, according to the General Authority of Statistics. The increase was driven by a 73.44 percent surge in Saudi imports from Egypt, totaling $4.18 billion.
Egypt has also shown a growing interest in investing in Saudi Arabia, with a 71 percent rise in licenses granted to Egyptian firms in the second quarter of 2024.
The festival, which began in October, highlights the lives, contributions and cultural integration of its residents. So far, it has celebrated cultures including Indian heritage and moving through Philippine, Indonesian, Pakistani, Yemeni, Sudanese, Bangladeshi, Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian traditions.
Riyadh Expo 2030 provides progress update to international exhibitions regulator BIE
- Members of Riyadh Expo 2030 update Bureau International des Expositions on progress toward hosting the event
RIYADH: A Saudi delegation representing Riyadh Expo 2030 took part in a Bureau International des Expositions meeting on Tuesday to review the Kingdom’s readiness to host the global event.
In November 2023, Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the 2030 World Expo between October 2030 and March 2031 in the capital, Riyadh.
The Riyadh Expo 2030 delegation took part in the 175th general assembly meeting of the BIE, a Paris-based intergovernmental organization which oversees and regulates World Expos, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
They updated senior officials of the BIE about the latest Saudi developments and preparations for hosting the event. They also discussed progress on work to accommodate an expected 246 exhibitors, including countries, organizations and companies, at a site north of Riyadh.
Under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow,” the event aims to be a unique platform for innovations and modern technologies which aim to find answers to challenges facing the planet in various fields, according to the Expo 2030 website.
Hospitality sector innovations, trends showcased at Riyadh exhibition
- Event gathers local and international exhibitors, industry leaders, and visitors to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the sector
- Exhibition features an array of engaging activities, including live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a barista competition, and workshops for aspiring culinary professionals
RIYADH: This year’s HORECA exhibition held in Riyadh is underscoring the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global hospitality market.
Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the three-day event concludes on Nov. 27 and gathers local and international exhibitors, industry leaders, and visitors to showcase trends, innovations, and business opportunities in the sector.
The event contributes to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by fostering private-sector growth, promoting tourism, and enhancing the country’s food and beverage industries.
The exhibition features an array of engaging activities, including live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a barista competition, and workshops for aspiring culinary professionals.
Visitors can sample creative dishes, observe new techniques in food and beverage, and explore sustainable packaging solutions, among other highlights.
Prince Waleed bin Nasser, guest of honor and CEO of Mukatafa Co., highlighted the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors.
Speaking at a session on public policies impacting the food and beverage sector, he said: “The vision today aspires for the private sector to play a significant role in the development of the economy. The private sector must take the initiative to have a voice. To achieve this, it needs to be organized and united in presenting a single perspective.”
He also emphasized the need for proactive engagement: “We must work as one, united with a common vision, and present this vision in a professional manner backed by facts, ensuring that the decisions made have a positive impact on the sector and the citizens.”
Culinary competitions are among the highlights celebrating creativity and technical skills at HORECA. Mohammed Naif, a participant representing Saudi Arabia’s Hotel and Tourism Management Institute, told Arab News: “The atmosphere was amazing, and the competition was all about passion and enjoyment. There was a panel of judges and organizers who were very supportive — if you made a mistake, they would help you, and if you had an incomplete idea, they would guide you.
“I encourage anyone with a passion for cooking to join, showcase their creativity, and learn while bringing out their best.”
The exhibition also provided a platform for networking, with exhibitors showcasing local innovations as well as international brands. From cutting-edge hospitality tech to Saudi-inspired culinary creations, the event highlighted the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a global hub for the sector.
