A large variety of roses were on display here as the 10-day 9th International Rose Festival 2012 kicked off its activities at King Faisal Model Garden here Wednesday. A large number of partners, producers and suppliers of roses are participating in the festival which was inaugurated by Fahad Bin Muammar, Taif Governor. Over 800 international personalities including 40 ambassadors and consul generals were in attendance. This year's event, according to organizers, was expected to be bigger and unique. Ayman Al-Homoud, event organizer, pointed out that the festival aimed to attract over half a million visitors this year. “This year we have more activities which will attract visitors from all over the Kingdom and the GCC region. The annual flower carpet which comes in the shape of a shining sun, prepared by Taif Municipality, is going to be one of the festival's main attractions,” she said. “We are also organizing a special exhibition in memory of late Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz,” she said. The event, Al-Homoud said, also includes planting flowers carpet, children activities, many garden and flower related programs, art gallery, courses, traditional songs, photo exhibition and various other activities suitable for all society segments. Several leading producers of rose as well as manufacturers of perfumes, incense and oriental perfume oils from various GCC states and other countries are expected to be part of this year's festival. __
