Story of Anwar al-Janabi
Tikrit’s Al-Zuhoor street blossoms with flower culture
Tikrit — Al-Zuhoor Street in Tikrit thrives as a bustling center, particularly renowned for its flourishing flower shops. Among them, “Fiyonka,” owned by Baghdad native Anwar Al-Janabi, distinguishes itself in flower arrangement and sales, earning a notable reputation over the years.
The increasing interest in floral culture in Tikrit is evident, with vendors importing varieties from Turkey, Iran, and Kenya to meet customer demand for events such as festivals, weddings, and graduations.
Anwar Al-Janabi notes a significant shift in consumer preferences toward roses and gypsophila, highlighting a steady growth in Tikrit’s flower market. Government officials are also regular patrons, often choosing to embellish their reception areas with flowers.
Al-Zuhoor Street is known for its lively commercial market, brimming with flower and gift shops that draw people celebrating various religious, social, and personal milestones.
In a discussion with 964network, Anwar Al-Janabi shared, “I relocated from Baghdad and began my venture here in 2010, initially joining my cousins and accumulating seven years of experience in gift and flower arrangement.”
“The floristry business demands a wide-ranging imagination. I have explored flower markets in China, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Although artificial flowers are available, we prefer natural ones, which are favored by our customers for celebratory occasions. Sometimes, we mix both types due to the superior quality of artificial flowers that closely resemble the real ones,” he stated.
“For special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and New Year’s Eve, red flowers are predominantly chosen, while white flowers are preferred for weddings and graduation ceremonies, often inspiring decoration themes,” he added.
“We have crafted numerous arrangements for entities such as the Baiji Oil Institute and the Directorate of Officers in Tikrit, with government officials frequently among our clientele, ordering bouquets to adorn the guest reception areas in their homes,” Al-Janabi elaborated.