Floriade reflects as ANZACS honoured with one million blooms

Nearly half a million local, interstate and international visitors are expected to flock to the nation’s capital over the coming month as Floriade 2015 pays tribute to the Centenary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.

Floriade’s gates will swing open tomorrow (12th September) for the 28th time as the world-class floral extravaganza returns to Commonwealth Park in Canberra, with one million blooms set to amaze visitors during Australia’s biggest celebration of spring.

Floriade 2015’s theme of Reflection has allowed the garden bed designs to incorporate icons synonymous with the themes of war and peace including the Rising Sun, the famous slouch hat and the poppy.

Speaking at the launch of Floriade 2015, journalist and author Gretel Killeen said she was looking forward to indulging her great passion of storytelling in her presentations at Floriade on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September.

Killeen stated “Floriade’s sub-theme during opening week is Stories – so I’ve been invited to share the stories of my life: the good, the bad, the ugly, the insightful, the hilarious and the love stories, which may or may not be true.”

Head Gardener Andrew Forster said the garden bed designs for 2015 were particularly thought-provoking and sought to honour the personal connections Australians have with the ANZAC tradition.

Forster stated “we are extremely happy with how the flower beds are looking ahead of the start of the event.

“A lot of work went into the design of the beds to ensure they appropriately reflected such an important part of Australia’s history, and we are looking forward to people connecting with the imagery contained in the flowers.”

Beyond the stunning garden beds, visitors can pick up gardening tips from experts in the field, listen to great musical performances and enjoy cooking demonstrations by world-renowned chefs.

Floriade will also be offering a new destination for sport enthusiasts, the Man Cave, which will screen finals football action across September and October, while the My Cubby House Rocks project returns, featuring five architecturally-designed cubby houses that will be auctioned and raffled off on Saturday 10th October.

Floriade runs from Saturday 12th September to Sunday 11th October and entry is free.

For more information go to www.floriadeaustralia.com.au

31st July 2015 - ACT GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES A NEW VISION FOR RECREATION AND PLAY

23rd April 2015 - FLORIADE 2015 TO REFLECT ON ANZAC CENTENARY

27th February 2015 - ENLIGHTEN FESTIVAL LIGHTS UP LANDMARK CANBERRA BUILDINGS

3rd November 2014 - NATIONAL ANZAC CENTRE OPENS TO COINCIDE WITH WWI FLEET DEPARTURE COMMEMORATION 

23rd February 2010 - SYDNEY BRIDGECLIMB MAKES LONELY PLANET TOP 10

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