Amidst Piles of Roses in Saudi Arabia.. Taif Transforms into a "Floral World" with Joyful Moments

- In a magical scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a man in traditional attire stands amidst what appears to be an endless expanse of pink roses, while another sits holding a large bouquet that almost exudes its fragrance between his hands. Saudi photographer Abdulrahman Al-Dughailbi captured these captivating scenes in Taif, which represent only a small part of the rose season that dazzles both residents and visitors alike with its breathtaking beauty throughout the province.

His photos reflect the cheerful spirit that being near these flowers evokes, and how it awakens a spontaneous desire for fun and freedom among their petals. The Saudi photographer, who captured these scenes in a farm that also serves as a café, said in an interview with Afaq News in Arabic: "What inspired me to document the roses in this way was the desire to think outside the box."

When discussing the relationship between humans and roses in his photos, Al-Dughailbi stated that it "lies in that moment when fragile natural beauty meets the human spirit, as it is a relationship based on harmony and silent appreciation." The Saudi photographer added: "In these photos, the rose does not appear merely as a decorative element, but as a mirror of emotions, playing the role of the hero that grants the place and time positive energy and purity."

The photos also blended the Taif rose, which is listed among the elements of Saudi intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, with other aspects of Saudi culture, as people appeared wearing traditional attire, including the "Huwaisi" outfit worn by men during the performance of the popular Majroor art. Al-Dughailbi explained that the photography process required great precision, given the short duration of the rose season, the race among farm owners to pick it and extract rose oil, in addition to the necessity of being present in the farms well before sunrise to prepare appropriately.

One comment on his Instagram page noted that the photos appeared "out of the ordinary." Taif is considered one of the most prominent centers for the production of fragrant roses in Saudi Arabia, according to the official website of the Saudi Press Agency "SPA" online, and rose farms are spread across the heights of Al-Hada and Al-Shifa between the slopes of the Sarawat Mountains.

The farms produce thousands of flowers daily during the peak season.