Don't be late!
"If you want to attend the expo, the earlier the better." Chen, pointing to the fact that the increase in attendance figures shows no signs of a letup, says that people who put off their visits to the future hoping that crowds will be smaller are likely to be disappointed.
For her part, Hsia Han-ming would like to refocus the public's attention. "The buildings will still be there in the future, but the flowers won't!"
"A real flora expo is not just a big extravaganza, like a fireworks display-the real spirit of a flower show is to connect to people's lives," says Monica Kuo. Many households in the Netherlands put out moth orchids, but while Taiwan is the world leader in the cultivation of moth orchids, the domestic public uses very few of these flowers.
With the experience of this international-level flora exposition under our belts, if we can cultivate more of a taste for horticulture among the public, so that people buy flowers, plant flowers, and make flowers part of their daily lives, "the power of beauty" will penetrate into the public mind, and we will see it flourish everywhere!
What's So Special About the TIFE?
The Taipei International Flora Expo is being held with approval from the International Association of Horticultural Producers, known widely by their French acronym of AIPH.
Taiwan is the seventh country in Asia to hold such an expo. The AIPH grades events as being on one of four different levels, depending upon the length of the show, the frequency, and whether international producers are invited to participate. The TIFE falls under the highest level, which indicates the longest duration and a major AIPH event such as is only held once in a year.
Chen Hsiung-wen, commissioner of the Department of Economic Development of the Taipei City Government and concurrently the executive director for the Taipei Expo, lists the following as major characteristics of the TIFE:
1. Everything has been Made in Taiwan, from the planning, design, and bidding, to the project work, layout and operations. The fact that the whole expo has been made in Taiwan not only demonstrates Taiwan's "hardware" capabilities in terms of construction, it also gives the world a chance to see Taiwan's "soft power" in terms of cultural creativity.
2. The event is being held in a dense urban area. In the past, most flora shows were held by their host countries in less developed suburban areas, but Taipei selected an area that has long been developed, in hopes of making the TIFE also pay off in terms of urban renewal. It is also innovative that the exhibition area includes the banks of the Keelung River.
3. The TIFE is the first AIPH-approved expo to incorporate high technology. High-tech information technology has been used to bring out the floral theme. The AIPH chairman has even said that this will be a model for the next decade.
4. The TIFE's pavilions are considered Class 1, and ones such as the three pavilions in the Xinsheng Park Area, the Expo Hall, and the Pavilion of the Aroma of Flowers can continue to be used in the future.
5. There are no security fences around the venues, as the organizers trust citizens to govern their own behavior. There has been little damage to flowers or facilities so far, which leads Chen Hsiung-wen to conclude with confidence: "People in Taiwan are very trustworthy!"
(Chang Chiung-fang/tr. by Phil Newell)
The Taipei International Flora Expo has brought color into the center of the capital city. Floweras on display thus far have included the pouch flower (1), Royal Trinity #5 (2), marigold (3), zinnia (4), blue-eyed daisy (5), and Marguerite (6).
Flowers are living things, with their own growth processes. You can't make them hurry up or slow down just to fit an arbitrary schedule.
The Taipei International Flora Expo has brought color into the center of the capital city. Floweras on display thus far have included the pouch flower (1), Royal Trinity #5 (2), marigold (3), zinnia (4), blue-eyed daisy (5), and Marguerite (6).
The Green Wall at the entrance to the Yuanshan Park Area is the largest free-standing plant wall in all of Taiwan.
To prepare for their coming-out party in January, Foreport planted and froze 50 varieties of tulip bulbs three full months in advance. The right photo shows the "Hamilton" fringed tulip.
Since flowers will collapse under the slightest pressure or jostling, they need special frames and packaging to ensure safe delivery. The photos show flowers brought north by Foreport Enterprises from Cingjing Farm in Nantou.
Flowers, like all great beauties, inevitably fade and wither, but butterflies find them nonetheless irresistible. The Taipei Flower Expo has taken horticulture in Taiwan to a new level.
The Taipei International Flora Expo has brought color into the center of the capital city. Floweras on display thus far have included the pouch flower (1), Royal Trinity #5 (2), marigold (3), zinnia (4), blue-eyed daisy (5), and Marguerite (6).
Flowers are living things, with their own growth processes. You can't make them hurry up or slow down just to fit an arbitrary schedule.
Floral tunnels connect the different park areas. This photo showing the pathway connecting the Fine Arts and Xinsheng zones allows you to appreciate the beauty of sunlight filtered through foliage.
Basic map of the four park areas