Holland is known around the world as a country of tulips.  Ever since I arrived, I have wanted to get to know the fields of the largest producer of the world!  Finally that day arrived last Saturday, the 20^th, and I visited Floriade 2002, a festival of flowers and gardens that currently is the largest event in Holland.

Floriade is organised every ten years, always in different place in Holland, and now it is in its fifth edition.  This year, the event has been taking place since April 6 in the region of Haarlemmermeer, on the outskirts of Amsterdam.  Until October, when the event comes to an end, more than 3 million visitors are expected, coming from many different countries of the world.

Having around 65 hectares and covering an area of 30,000 m2, the Floriade Park offers numerous attractions both for tourists as well as for professionals in this area.  This aspect makes Floriade very interesting since it is a large fair of flowers that also offers beautiful scenery and gardens, reconciling the commercial focus with the tourist side.  

Floriade offers options for a fun-packed day full of colours and perfumes.  "On the Lake" brings a beautiful demonstration of international gardens.  The participating countries each carefully projected their garden.  Europe and Asia joined forces to form this exuberant attraction during the event.  It is possible to see typical gardens from France, Germany, Bulgaria, Holland, Austria, Hungry, Luxembourg, Italy, and many others.  Special mention should be given to the gardens of Austria, for its windmills, to Germany because it is very typical, and to Hungry for its creativity in using wood.  From among the Asian countries are the exotic gardens of Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Pakistan, making it possible to get to know a little of each culture and purchase indigenous merchandise.  My favourite gardens were the one from Japan, with an enormous bonsai that was practically a plant sculpture, and the one from Indonesia with beautiful small statues and fountains.

Walking a little further on brings us to a series of gardens with various themes, including a replica of a small cemetery decorated with flowers.  This pleasant retreat brings an interesting message and causes us to remember of just how much flowers symbolise in our life at the most diverse occasions, both during the happy times and at death.

Further on still, the visitor will meet a large field of flowers with a great variety of species, colours, and sizes.  It is one of the prettiest places because of the intensity of colours and for the beauty of the flowers.  For all who visit Floriade, this is a must to see and to take many pictures, even covered in flowers—as I did!

And finally, the 40-meter high pyramid called Big Spotters' Hill can be seen from afar.  It is a five-story circular stair structure, covered with flowers and especially decorated for this event.  For those who make it all the way to the top will have a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Floriade.

Due to the many flowers and scenery, the entire park carries an aura of purity and romanticism.  To see all the attractions you have to walk a lot, but at the same time it is an excellent place to relax and appreciate the very beautiful views combined with an artistic touch that can be seen throughout the entire event, both with the carefully planned gardens as with the sculptures that dot the park.  It is a very good option for those in love...along with visitors, families, couples, friends, and business people.

From the commercial point of view Floriade stimulates business and the production of flowers, co-operating with the exchange of techniques and know-how.  The fair has an international impact and it also promotes the interchange of merchandise and technologies among the countries.  Floriade counts on the participation of thirty countries from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.  Brazil is not participating, but a good number of Brazilians have visited the fair, including gaúchos, in order to establish contacts and expand their knowledge of this area.

Floriance Green Trade Centre is a point for meeting professionals in the area of horticulture both from Holland and from other countries.  This is the best place for the exchange of information and for seeking business opportunities during this event.  In the pavilions, companies, producers, and authorities on the subject are provided with opportunities for new business and to offer information.  

The Glasshouse of the Future offers what there is of most advanced in production and sustainability methods in terms of horticulture.  Current exhibitions about bulbs, seeds, different plants, and new techniques also offer a good opportunity for those who want to know more in these areas.

Floriade is a very special place to have some fun and will be a weekend that will always be remembered for the beauty of flowers and the harmony that they transmit (if enjoyed in special company, then...better yet!).  Furthermore, the event tells a little of Holland's own culture, with its numerous flower stands, tulips, and bouquets bouncing along in a bicycle ride...  

Images of Floriade / 2002:

   1,   2,   3,   4,   5,   6,   7,   8,   9,   10,   11,   12,   13,   14,   15,   16,   17,   18,   19,   20,  

21,   22,   23,   24,   25,   26,   27,   28,   29,   30,   31,   32,   33,   34,   35,   36,   37,   38