The Floriade—A Flower That Blooms Once a Decade
The Latin word for “flourish” was floreat, and a person who
flourished was known as a floreant. So how do you describe an entire culture coming into full bloom? Floriade. That’s the Dutch name for an event that only happens once a decade: a world
horticultural expo of unmatched scale. While flowers are the pride
of the Netherlands every year, nothing compares to the spectacle
of its Floriade—and the 2012 edition is shaping up to be one of the most memorable ever.
Every ten years, the Netherlands chooses a new tract of public land to transform with an array of flower beds, orchards, vegetable gardens, sculpted landscapes, greenhouses, floral-themed architecture, and performance venues. Dozens of nations send their most accomplished horticulturalists to craft displays alongside 90 Dutch teams. Musicians, dancers, and theater artists from around the globe come to perform for the exposition's enthusiastic visitors.
This year’s setting, the Venlo Green Park, is divided into five themed sections linked by verdant open spaces. The “Relax & Heal” section, for instance, is designed with no straight lines or hard corners;
curving paths and gentle hills amble amid flowers, trees, and
reflecting ponds to represent the role of horticulture in our mental and physical well-being. Other realms focus on topics of green
energy, education, environmental awareness, and world performance—
each boasts unique activities in settings that mirror their themes.
What’s so marvelous is that colorful experiences await around every corner, whether you choose to target a specific part of the park or simply stroll the manicured pathways to see what’s ahead. The Floriade offers an ever-changing feast for all the senses.
You might taste traditional European finger foods … inhale the scent of tropical plants from Indonesia … admire the detailed creations of China’s master gardeners … or rest on a grassy lawn while listening to folk musicians from Turkey.
After the Floriade winds down, this lovely new park will be shared by the host communities, five towns known together as Regio Venlo (Venlo Region). Regio Venlo was a perfect choice for the Floriade because its towns were the first in the nation to model “cradle to
cradle” industry, in which all things produced by the region must be recyclable, creating a sustainable culture. While Regio Venlo looks toward the future, you’ll be carrying home memories that are sure to remain vivid long after Floriade 2012 has itself faded into history.