PUTRAJAYA: The just-concluded Putrajaya Flower Festival (Floria 2010), themed ‘Tropical Beauty’, attracted a record number of visitors which saw a whopping 660,000 nature-lovers showing up to admire the flowers.

The event, the third in the series, had an initial target of 500,000 visitors. Among the attractions at Floria 2010 was the participation of nine international landscape experts and designers who had won awards at international flower and landscape competitions.

Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival

FLOWER POWER: (From left) PPJ president Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, Landscape and Parks director Mohamas A. Shukor and Raja Nong Chik admiring a flower pot that was on display

Their presence gave local floral designers a rare opportunity for first-hand exposure to the latest trends and cutting edge technology in the floral, horticultural and landscape industries.

Students and aspiring designers, on the other hand, had the opportunity to tap into a wealth of knowledge from some of the best local and international talent.

The nine-day long event, which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, showcased over 400,000 plants.

The visitors were a healthy mix of locals and foreigners who took part in the 180 activities and programmes, including a series of floral-related workshops and demonstrations. Workshop participants were awarded with Certificates of Participation.

At the closing ceremony on Sunday, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin awarded 52 prizes to participants in 16 categories of competitions, including outdoor gardens, indoor gardens, public and private sectors as well as schools and universities.

Putrajaya Flower Festival was first held in 2007. After a two-year break, it was held for a second time last year.

Source: The Malay Mail