Chrysanthemum festival

Chrysanthemum festival Japanese Garden Hasselt

Daniel Ost in the leading role

Chrysanthemum in top presentation for 20 years of Japanese Garden Hasselt

Between 19 and 21 October Daniel Ost, internationally renowned floral designer and flower artist, will be responsible for a special edition of the chrysanthemum exhibition in the Japanese Garden Hasselt. The twentieth anniversary is also the perfect occasion for even more chrysanthemums in Hasselt.

Daniel Ost puts chrysanthemums on show in the Japanese Garden

This year between Friday 19 and Sunday 21 October there will be an exclusive edition of the chrysanthemum exhibition in the Japanese Garden. Daniel Ost, an ornamental flower arranger – or rather a floral artist - with a roll of honour where the floral decorations for the marriage of the crown prince Philip and Prince Laurent figure alongside fashion shows throughout the world, the presentation of Oscars and an absolute one-off and never before permitted exhibition in the Ninnaji temple complex in Kyoto (Japan). Daniel Ost travels round the globe in order to create edifying flower creations. Japan scores the highest with over 100 visits. He is put on a pedestal by both the public and fellow professionals and is since last year the ‘floral face’ of the plant auction in Nagoya. He creates a bridge between East and West. With his knowledge of the Japanese culture and the way in which the Japanese discover and experience plants and flowers Daniel Ost is getting ready for a special edition of the chrysanthemum exhibition in the Japanese garden. The floral creations underpin the characteristics of the garden, but naturally also function as a focus of attention. The chrysanthemum is as a consequence credited with all the honour which its oriental status deserves. In Japan it is the symbol for the life-giving sun and for long life and fortune. It is even included in the imperial coat of arms, gives its name and image to one of the highest possible orders, the ‘Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum’ and provides inspiration for the Japanese flag. All of these are reasons why in November chrysanthemum festivals, exhibitions and competitions are held throughout Japan. The most beautiful, extraordinary and striking examples are placed alongside one another and/or incorporated in attractive floral displays and other works of art.

Chrysanthemums Flemish style.

This weekend, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Japanese garden, the city of Hasselt is also putting chrysanthemums on show elsewhere than in the Japanese garden. The town hall is planted out for the autumn with potted chrysanthemums and the Taste Shop and Taste Salon, along with the new location for the tourist information centre in the Huis de Corswarem (Maastrichterstraat) are decorated with creations which were arranged by the local allotment associations. Alongside the walking trail between these two locations you come across striking chrysanthemum paintings and a chrysanthemum carpet by the green department and the PR8 committee. Although with all this the chrysanthemum is being put on show as an ornamental plant, within walking distance of the city centre it is associated with the Flemish tradition of cemetery flowers. On and between graves in the ‘old cemetery’, this cemetery on the Kempische steenweg is a listed monument (next to house number 89), around 1000 plants in various forms will provide extra atmosphere.

The Hasselt tourist information centre offers a chrysanthemum package that enables you to enjoy all of this with a special visit to the Japanese Garden, a meal of chrysanthemums in the Japanese restaurant Oishi and a night in the Radisson Blu hotel.

Information:

Kikumatsuri or Chrysanthemum Festival in the Japanese Garden, Gouverneur Verwilghensingel 23, 3500 Hasselt. 19 until 21 October. 10am to 6pm.

www.20jaarjapansetuin.be and www.hasselt.be