Lebanon's 'village of roses' - in pictures

  • The rose harvest 'gives you strength to carry on', says Leila Al Dirani, picking the flowers from her family's land in the village of Qsarnaba in Lebanon. All photos: AFP
    The rose harvest 'gives you strength to carry on', says Leila Al Dirani, picking the flowers from her family's land in the village of Qsarnaba in Lebanon. All photos: AFP
  • The oil derived from the famed Damask rose - named after the ancient city of Damascus on the other side of the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria - is a staple of perfumers
    The oil derived from the famed Damask rose - named after the ancient city of Damascus on the other side of the mountain range separating Lebanon and Syria - is a staple of perfumers
  • The flowers are believed to have infection-fighting and relaxant properties, while rose water is drunk across the Middle East, used in sweets such as Turkish delight and employed to scent mosques
    The flowers are believed to have infection-fighting and relaxant properties, while rose water is drunk across the Middle East, used in sweets such as Turkish delight and employed to scent mosques
  • After a morning collecting roses, the workers in Qsarnaba drop their fragrant bundles at a warehouse in the village
    After a morning collecting roses, the workers in Qsarnaba drop their fragrant bundles at a warehouse in the village
  • Zahraa Sayed Ahmed - whose first name means 'flower' - buys the raw materials to produce her rose water, syrup, tea and jam
    Zahraa Sayed Ahmed - whose first name means 'flower' - buys the raw materials to produce her rose water, syrup, tea and jam
  • For four years she has processed the petals at her home, using a traditional metal still that originally belonged to her grandfather
    For four years she has processed the petals at her home, using a traditional metal still that originally belonged to her grandfather
  • A kilogram of petals makes half a litre of rose water
    A kilogram of petals makes half a litre of rose water
  • Zahraa says every home in the village has its own still. 'The production of rose water is a part of our heritage,' she says
    Zahraa says every home in the village has its own still. 'The production of rose water is a part of our heritage,' she says
  • The rose season lasts for a busy few weeks in Qsarnaba
    The rose season lasts for a busy few weeks in Qsarnaba
  • Hassan Al Dirani, 25, has been picking the flowers alongside his mother, Leila, because they could not afford to employ extra workers amid low production
    Hassan Al Dirani, 25, has been picking the flowers alongside his mother, Leila, because they could not afford to employ extra workers amid low production
  • The harvest has lost about 80 percent of its value because of Lebanon's economic crisis, says local official Daher Al Dirani
    The harvest has lost about 80 percent of its value because of Lebanon's economic crisis, says local official Daher Al Dirani
  • 'But the roses help people put food on the table,' he adds
    'But the roses help people put food on the table,' he adds