A chrysanthemum “explosion of feelings” in Kyiv
Flower exhibition “Bountiful Harvest” is being held at the Pechersk Landscape Park
Workers of municipal agency Kyivzelenbud planted over 40,000 chrysanthemums in 10 compositions, one for each district of Kyiv. The event is now in its fourth year, so some of its visitors are regulars. People lined in queues to be photographed in a chrysanthemum dress or with a flower-made heifer. Kyivzelenbud’s employee Viktoria Sira admitted: “The exhibition was mounted in just two weeks, which is really fast, so we had many people involved. We wanted to convey the message that Ukraine is a beautiful, fertile country, so we chose the Bountiful Harvest as our theme. Chrysanthemums are very different in color, as well as frost-resistant, making them ideal fall flowers.”
The compositions on display include Apiary, Animals, the latter being a veritable farm made of flowers, Canned Food, and Winemaking. Visitors have been impressed with the variety of colors, featuring endless diversity of shades of red, orange, purple, pink, and yellow. “There are about 2,000 colors of chrysanthemums in existence!” Valentyna from Kyiv region said, who has been cultivating these flowers for seven years. “I like chrysanthemums even more for their hardiness. Besides, there are few flowers in fall except these, so people rejoice on seeing them.”
Artist Vasyl Prydatko-Dolin shared his impressions of the exhibition: “In contrast to what is happening around us, it is a real explosion of feelings. That is right. Let the children have fun at least. Previously, these activities attracted more people, but now I see more innovative solutions in the compositions, to compensate for lower visitor numbers. Images of our everyday life, a kind of ‘country art,’ are interesting submissions as well. The only pity is that not all elderly people will be able to see this beauty, because some of them have trouble walking.”
The chrysanthemum festival’s participants mentioned fighting in the Donbas, too. Children art groups from Dniprovsky district of Kyiv performed at the Song Festival Grounds on the opening day of the exhibition. The kids themselves wanted to hold a concert to collect letters and pictures and raise money for the soldiers wounded in the Donbas and for refugee families. Director of the Kolomiiets Children and Youth Choreographic Studio “Happy Childhood” Olha Pobezhymova said: “We staged a great festive performance here, involving 450 participants. Such events are needed to ensure that the children know what charity is. In addition, young people want Ukraine to achieve peace and harmony.” Kyivites Vira and Liuba sounded satisfied as well: “We like children getting patriotic education and such concerts being held. The chrysanthemum exhibition is a great show as well. They have invested so much art and love into these flowers!”
The chrysanthemum exhibition “Bountiful Harvest” will last at the Pechersk Landscape Park until October 26.
