Writer: Anna Nilsson Spets
If you are planning to visit the beautiful medieval city of Ghent in Belgium, you can try to book an event that takes place every four years, in May: Floraliën Ghent.
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ShareOne advantage is that you are a little bit interested in plants, because that's what it's all about. Plants.
Floraliën is held every four years and attracts thousands of people, around 75,000 pass through. This year's theme is The Connexion, how we build bonds and relationships with plants.
My friend Marc and I take the train to Ghent and from the station there is a toy train to the main exhibition halls, very convenient.
This giant event was originally created to showcase Belgian gardening and indoor plant cultivation.
Today, artwork by famous and unknown florists is also on display, and the cultivation area itself has unfortunately become smaller. Many growers are struggling to survive, fuel costs are rising, and these are difficult times.
The predecessor to today's Floralien began in the early 19th century with so-called flower salons.
Today it is something completely different when basically the entire city of Ghent blooms. The main exhibition itself is in Ghent's exhibition halls and even though the halls are large, it is terribly crowded, there are queues to the various objects and sometimes it is difficult to get around.
It's been about 35 years since I took the basic florist course and during these decades floristry has reached a completely different level.
The basic principles of lines are still there, but the technique has been refined, the materials are different. Of course, there is fashion in flower binding, it's just that something else is missing.
Those who still cling to the dying art of growing showed off their products; the Belgians are known for their beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons.
The grower of tropical plants offered colorful entertainment.
We take a break in the restaurant which is packed to the brim, it's insanely expensive so we just have a coffee and cake.
It's not just the exhibition halls that offer aesthetic experiences, in fact the whole city has different events during these weeks.
The day ends with dinner at an Indian restaurant with an extremely rude owner. If I hadn't been so hungry, I would have left.
So book 2030 in Ghent, then the next Floraliën is!
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Anna Nilsson Spets
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Hanneles boktips says:
Fun, been to several flower festivals, both at home and abroad.
Chelsea Flower Show 2014, a lot about the World War, bought an enamel poppy.
July 22, 2026 - 20:11
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
How nice, I still haven't been to Chelsea.
Thank you for reading
July 22, 2026 - 20:50
Emma says:
Cool to see a bit of this exhibition! However, it's sad that the art of growing is not as strong anymore. It's sad when crafts of various kinds disappear in general, I think..
July 22, 2026 - 20:58
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
Yes, it's sad, but fuel prices are rising. Dying crafts are sad.
July 23, 2026 - 6:05