Floriade 2012: A fine blend of nature,creativity and fun

The colourful flower beds make a creative backdrop for the flower festival. coutesy photos

What you need to know:

The once in a decade flower show attracts thousands from around the world and has been named one of the top five destinations this year by CNN.

Nature has provided man with various needs,from food, clothing to medicines and tools. We need to be in balance with it. When we fall out of step with it, our lives can be a continuous struggle like a boat going against the current. When we set out to Limburg in the south eastern part of The Netherlands, the last thing on our minds was how nature and environment is so central to life.

And it took a gardening exhibition for us to realise that. The Floriade is a world expo that is held once every 10 years at various locations within The Netherlands, which are selected after a rigorous bidding process. Since its initiation in 1960, the expo has been held in the western part of the country: 1960 in Rotterdam, 1972 and 1982 in Amsterdam, 1992 in Zoetermeer and 2002 in Haarlemmermeer.

For the first time in 52 years, it is taking place in the south east. Floriade 2012 opened on April 5 and will close on October 7; the venue is a 66-hectare area across Fresh Park Venlo with over 100 exhibitors.

Experiencing nature
We departed from Maastricht University for the slightly over one hour bus ride to Venlo, arriving at about 10.30am. On arrival, we were guided to the entrance, where our pre-booked tickets allowed us direct entry into the park. Remarkably, the sophisticated attention to detail and the ingenuity in the intricate design and organisation of the expo is evident from the moment you step into the park until you leave it.

The theme, Be part of the theatre in nature: Get closer to the quality of life, was translated across the five unique zones in the park: Relax and Heal, Green Engine, Education and Innovation, Environment, World Show Stage. Each themed zone is separated by wooded areas and has different decor, activities and entertainment.

The “Relax and Heal World” has an oriental setting with a spa-like ambience. It promotes healthy eating from the Asian cuisine and provides an experience of healing herbs and tea rituals. It was alluring to kick off our shoes and take a stroll with bare feet along a path in this part.

In the “Green Engine” themed world, nature and industry combine to create a balance between commercial activity and nature. Here, there are various pavilions and gardens to showcase this. The Villa Flora, also known as the “greenest office in the Netherlands”, a glass building more than 30 metres high, takes centre stage in this zone. Europe’s largest indoor flower display is taking place in Villa Flora.

When innovation meets horticulture
The “Education and Innovation” themed zone focuses on the link between horticulture, learning and innovation. There is a wooden egg-shaped building about 15 metres high depicting a bean about to burst open and germinate. Innovative ideas for a greener world and the intelligent use of resources are presented.

The “Environment” themed zone promotes the interplay between raw materials, the environment and their impact on the quality of life. The Rabo EarthWalk and the Dome take centre stage in this zone. It was amazing going up the spiral walkway, surrounding a giant globe, where various banners at intervals explain how nature is being harnessed in a responsible manner, from the tea farmers in Rwanda to the Dutch farmer who uses insects and fungi to control pests.

At the top of the stairs we entered a darkened room with a glass floor, where a video started playing, just below our feet, demonstrating various activities across the globe that enable us to live as we do today. And in the Dome, as soon as we entered, the doors closed and the room was darkened. Then, a three-minute video was projected on giant screens.

The World Show Stage zone features a programme that blends art, culture and entertainment, in an amphitheatre with a capacity for 1,500. Each day features music, dance, literature, theatre, as well as visual art from all over the world.

A cable car carries visitors 30 metres above ground, on a one-kilometre journey from one end of the park, to the other. A one-way ticket of €6 (Shs18,500) will give you the opportunity to experience an amazing aerial view of the entire park.

To crown it all, we attended an interactive discussion organised by Maastricht School of Management on the ninth floor of the Innovatoren, which houses meeting and conference rooms. After which, we moved to the tenth floor for a round of cocktails. A fitting end to a day full of fun and a lot of learning about the world we live in.