Flowery politics or new PR approach

Politics and shows are a perfect match, as it turns out. At the Flowers & Hortech 3rd International Floral and Landscape Design Exhibition our politicians were decorated with flowers. Anatolii Kinakh, Mykola Katerynchuk, and Hanna Herman served as “models.” Why they were chosen, you can guess for yourself.

If you accept the premise that the colors and shapes of flowers represent a person’s character traits, what did the floral designers show us? It’s worth mentioning that these designers are young ladies whose job makes them romantic, tender, and tolerant, so they see beauty in the most unexpected places.

“Mykola Katerynchuk is a handsome man; he’s a leader. That’s why I created a brilliant and dynamic bouquet of roses and anthurium in the shape of a sparkling torch. On top are willow branches that somewhat tame the element of fire,” explained designer Viktoria Solovei of Askania Flora LTD. “This composition is associated with Danko’s blazing heart, with the light that shows the way.” The owner of “Danko’s heart” did not appear in person. His wife Anastasia, who was authorized by her husband to pick up the bouquet, was present in the audience when the bouquet was being put together.

Sharp-leaved strelitzias and sky-blue orchids is how Ukrflora designer Hanna Nehoda sees the inner essence of MP Hanna Herman. The composition was simple, without any excess: on the top part of the bouquet orange strelitzias seem to gaze from all sides, while the orchids seem to restrain them from below. The color of the vase perfectly matched the composition. Explaining her idea and choice of flowers, the floral designer said that she sees Herman as a powerful, active, and tough personality (strelitzias), who also has qualities of tenderness and frailty (orchids). The powerful Ms. Herman neither came to pick up the bouquet nor sent an assistant. Maybe strelitzias were prevailing in her soul that day.

The choice of the third “model” was not unexpected: Anatolii Kinakh’s wife has attended these exhibitions for the last few years, as does her husband. This year he came to get his bouquet from Dasha Karpenko of Kamelia LTD.

“I used only exotic flowers for my bouquet: strelitzia, which is also known as the “bird of Eden,” delicate and bright delphinium, white calla lilies, anemone, and amaryllis, which symbolizes fire. I chose so many flowers because they complement each other, although they have their own different distinctive features: amaryllis and strelitzia are more masculine flowers, while calla lilies and delphinium are more feminine,” the florist explained. “I think I succeed in creating the image of a stylish and determined politician, who values his family as well as his career.”

The idea to organize this kind of show belongs to Iryna Slobodianiuk, the president of the Ukrainian Florists’ Union. She said that this is just the beginning and more prominent public figures, such as artists, actors, and directors, are going to be involved in these artistic floral impromptu actions.

THE DAY’S FACTFILE

The annual Flowers & Hortech Ukraine exhibition at the International Exhibition Center is one of the biggest events of the flower trade, floristry, and landscape design in Ukraine. About 150 companies from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Israel, Columbia, Ecuador, Poland, Russia, Finland, France, and other countries take part in it. About 30 percent of them are Ukrainian companies whose products are competitive on the European market. Visitors can learn about the latest innovations in selecting and growing plants. The annual exhibition is also a great opportunity to pick up some new ideas and acquire business partners. An average of 5,000 to 7,000 florists and landscape designers are expected to attend the exhibition on April 15-17. Visitors can also sign up for a class taught by Miranda der Woorde, a prominent Dutch florist.