Kalaat M’Gouna
Moroccan rose city
Early morning, women, men, and children are crossing the narrow national road N10 into the fields of roses in Kalaat M’Gouna, for few weeks they will be picking the famous Damask rose to sell it fresh to the local cooperatives for 20 Dirhams per kg. Some prefer to dry it and sell it after for a higher price. Roses are not the only source of income in Kalaat M’Gouna, but it’s a big part of it. They even have a huge metal Rose in the middle of town, and the taxis painted pink.
The other source of income is tourism, which, unlike the rose, didn’t flourish yet.
Rose festival
As for 2020, this year no one is celebrating the rose season due to the ongoing pandemic. The festival was not only an opportunity to sell rose-based products but also a significant time for hotels and restaurants in the rose valley.
