Every year, as the rose harvest season begins, many will find themselves drawn once more to the mountains. There’s something almost otherworldly about standing in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar at dawn, as the scent of Damask roses rises with the mist. It’s a fragrance so delicate and distinct that just one breath transports you back to a tradition that feels as timeless as the mountains themselves.
Oman’s land has always had a way of speaking through scent. From the sweet taste of pomegranate to the warm, grounding presence of frankincense, our natural resources have shaped the olfactory identity of this region for centuries. From this, we have derived meaning, memory, value but most importantly a strong economic prospect over the years.
International and local perfume houses continue to embrace the Damask rose, transforming it into best selling perfumes. When people wear these fragrances, they’re doing more than enjoying a luxurious scent, they’re wearing a story. A connection to a place. A part of Oman.
And it’s not just the roses. As the months turn from April to August, our orchards come alive — lemon, mango, apricot — each fruit carrying its own aromatic fingerprint, each with the potential to inspire a new fragrance, a new memory. These seasonal scents are not only a gift of nature; they’re a bridge between tradition and opportunity.
This transformation, from land to luxury, from petal to perfume, is at the heart of the upcoming edition of our Oman Perfume Show in June, which I’m especially looking forward to. It’s not just another event on the calendar. It’s a celebration of everything that makes Oman unique: our biodiversity, our craftsmanship and our ability to innovate while staying rooted in who we are.
The show brings together master perfumers and boutique houses from across the Middle East, many of whom work with regional ingredients like our frankincense or the treasured roses of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar. But for me, it’s not only about the fragrances. It’s about the stories they tell, of landscapes, of heritage, of identity.
It reminds us that when we honour our traditions and cultivate them with care, we unlock something greater than just economic opportunity. We share a piece of our soul with the world.
That, to me, is the true essence of Oman.
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