Floraart in Zagreb, the memorable florart exposition at Bundek lake

23.04.2019.

If you’re domestic in Croatia and cannot travel to far away destinations to see incredible flower gardens and fantastic way the mind can invent colourful scenic stories- visit Zagreb, visit Bundek. Seven years I haven’t been a witness to this event decorated in the dance of flowers, plants and various requisites the garden needs. I have no idea why it happened to me to jump Floraart so long, but when I finally saw it Floraart took my mind away. In the 5 days at the end of May (even at the beginning or middle of May) Floraart usually coincides with the greatest annual events in Zagreb like C’est is d’best (the festival of junglers and street musicians) and Festival of the European short story. Don’t take an excuse to miss it. Already 54. edition comes in 2019.

How to come and what to see

Usually there’s a free bus line from the centre, from the square of Ivan Mažuranić (which is placed near the Botanic garden) directly to the Florart. You can take also tram number 6 that goes to Novi Zagreb from the main train or bus station. Or any bus from the train station that goes to Novi Zagreb. Around Bundek itself there’s a free little train that goes in the circular shape.

Once when you’re there, two lakes will await for you, two lakes connected with the bridge. One is the wilder one and the other totally opposite, sleeky with the stage. The big tent is the main intersection of all events. The bigger tent is dedicated to floral expositions and the smaller one to handmade souvenirs. Floral expositions hide in itself the different topics like:

-the spheres of memories with poetical and motivational explanation what memories mean;

-frameworks in the floral edition upon the title Beyond the frameworks (that also suggests to be free and see the world full of colours);

-historic and literary themes such as Kameni svati (The rocky nuptial);

-fashion expressed by flowers;

-the Ocean of orchideas;

-different ways of arrangement for the spicy plants;

-evocation of rustic life;

– growing the hanging strawberries;

-showing some interesting flower family like Bromeliads which have extremely decorative leaves;

-simple yet expressive arrangements in the form of flowers;

-Strossmartre in Zagreb in the floral edition;

-interesting wooden sculptures;

-the rainbow made of flowers describing different meanings of colurs;

-sorceress which represent women that became legendary:

-recycling the garden elements making it more effective and decorative;

-presentation and meaning of the urban kailyard;

-the sculpture of the horse named lipizzaner, the symbol of Lipik which has wonderful flower fair;

-biodynamic garden;

-presentation of the green plants, mostly home plants of different shapes like ficus, asparagus, sansiviera, begonia, philadendron;

The ecological aspect of the exposition is putting accent to the cleanness making wonderful decorations from the old cars. This is brought by Romeo Ibrišević through the project „Let’s make Croatia clean“ who’s already for the decade pulling out the wrecks from the environment.

Various public or private entreprises are showing their work like Hrvatske šume (Croatian forrests), croatian association Transplant (that transplanted the tree of maple at Bundek in the memory of all the grantors at the Day of national gifts and transplantation) and different agricultural businesses with their installations. The chilldren corner is like a little town named Floragrad (flora town).

Florart is not placed only at Bundek but also at different angles of Zagreb. Recently opened tunnel in the centre inside and outside is  decorated with flowers and green sculpture sometimes. The main square in Zagreb invite people to Floraart with special installations.

Many, many happenings enrich Floraart and among them are various lectures, competitions (including the one for the most beautiful garden and the one for high school students) and concerts. Foreign exhibitors come from around 10 various countries. Though many people come just to buy plants, it’s more than that. Bundek lake will also give you the perpective at the river Sava next to it.

All in all

It’s the long history of Floraart with the different forms and places but it overwhelms with its richness. It’s more than fair, it’s the presentation of local life where you’ll discover lake Bundek which develop from the jungle into a representative spot in Zagreb. Don’t miss out lake Bundek and Floraart as it’s such a delight waiting for it every year.