Taif Rose Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has successfully registered the ‘Cultural Practices Associated with Taif Roses’ on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture, who highlighted the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and enhance its global presence.

The registration follows a joint national initiative led by the Heritage Commission in collaboration with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, and the Kingdom’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO. The Taif Rose now joins other Saudi cultural elements on UNESCO’s list, including Saudi Ardha, Arabic Coffee, Falconry, and others.

The cultivation of Taif roses has been a key part of the region’s history for centuries. Local communities gather annually to harvest the flowers, which are used to produce rose water and essential oils. These products play an important role in social practices, such as scenting spaces and offering hospitality. The annual Taif Rose Festival further celebrates this cultural tradition.