Morocco’s most fragrant celebration returned to Kelaât M’Gouna as the Damask Rose Festival entered its 60th edition.
Fez – The 60th edition of Morocco’s International Festival of the Damask Rose officially opened Tuesday in Kelaât M’Gouna under the auspices of King Mohammed VI.
Presiding over the opening ceremony was Ahmed El Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests.
This year’s theme “The Damask Rose Value Chain: A Driver of Sustainable Development in the Green Generation Strategy,” speaks volumes about the shifting priorities in rural Morocco.
Scheduled to run until May 8, the festival is more than just a celebration of scent and tradition.
It’s a multi-faceted platform designed to shine a spotlight on the economic, social, and cultural weight carried by the rose industry, especially across Morocco’s oasis regions.
The sprawling exhibition includes over 100 booths, with sections dedicated to institutions, rose-based products, local goods, and the broader agro-industrial landscape.
As always, the heart of the event lies in its celebration of craftsmanship, particularly the role women play in harvesting and distilling roses with ancestral finesse.
Speaking to the press, Minister El Bouari talked about the strategic importance of the event, framing it as a reflection of the region’s ongoing efforts to elevate the Damask rose from a cultural treasure to a sustainable economic engine.
He paid special tribute to the women behind the process, whose hands and knowledge preserve the essence of this heritage.
The day also included a tour of the exhibition pavilions, an award ceremony honoring the region’s top farms and processing units, and the signing of key partnerships.
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Five agreements were inked to bolster solidarity-based agriculture, support local employment, and expand sustainable livestock practices in various areas, including Agoudal and Aït Sedrate.
A separate framework agreement was signed to finance a program focused on protecting and enhancing the oases of Tinghir Province from 2025 to 2027.
The initiative aims to improve living conditions, combat wildfires, and mitigate flood risks, all while safeguarding the delicate desert ecosystem.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Governor of Tinghir Province, Ismaïl Heikal, Regional Council President Hro Abrou, and a mix of elected officials, professionals, and civil and military figures.
This milestone 60th edition is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors, locals, tourists, investors, and professionals alike, and offers a platform to reflect on the achievements of Morocco’s “Green Generation 2020–2030” strategy.
It’s also a celebration of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the face of climate challenges and water scarcity.
Over four days, the program will feature scientific panels and roundtables tackling innovation, regional equity, and the future of the Damask rose, not just as a product, but as a symbol of sustainable Moroccan growth.
