World Flower Carpet TOKYO：Held for the First Time in Tokyo on Hachijojima Island
The World Flower Carpet TOKYO was held April 5 - 8 on Hachijojima Island in the main venue - Hachijo-machi Multipurpose Hall Ojare. The World Flower Carpet has been held every second year since 2006 by Coordinadora Internacional de Entidades de Alfombristas de Arte Efimero [CIDAE] (International Coordination of Organizations for Ephemeral Art Carpet Makers) and Hachijojima Island, famously prided on its freesia flowers was the perfect site for Tokyo's first hosting of the event. There was an international symposium on cultural developments in flower art, artwork activities using freesia flowers, and even a workshop open to locals. A total of 50 participants, including 24 overseas delegates, participated in the assembly.
An SDGs Conscious Symposium
Under the theme "From Ephemeral Art to Sustainable Art," and with video appearances from the governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, and the chairman of CIDAE, Vicenta Pallaré the opening was spectacular. As societal awareness of sustainability has risen, this has also been seen in flower art. There has been increased demand for environmentally friendly methods to create art pieces and exhibitions with the wide promotion of recycling. At the symposium, through keynote speeches and panel discussion, novel methods for reducing the environmental footprint of flower art were introduced, followed by a lively exchange of opinions between domestic and overseas participants.
Making the Freesia Flower Carpet
After the symposium, participants moved to Hachikatayama Freesia Farm, located at the foot of Mt. Hachijo-Fuji (the highest peak of the Tokyo islands), to pick the freesia for the creation of the flower carpet. The participants were delighted with Hachijojima's famous yellow, red, purple, and white freesia and picked the flowers while enjoying their delightful scent and the island's refreshing breeze.
On the day of the creation of the flower carpet at the gallery of the main venue, delegates teamed up for a fruitful cultural exchange with locals to make the impressive 6-diameter flower carpet from the freesia and colored sand. Upon starting the project, everyone used the techniques unique to their countries, and the sight of everyone diligently contributing to this delicate work was a sight to behold.
Experiencing the Nature and Culture of Hachijojima through a Half-day Sightseeing Tour
During the conference, TCVB provided an in-kind half-day sightseeing tour of the island. This included a visit to historical encampment ruins, the Tamaishigaki (boulder hedge) area, and the Osaka Tunnel Observation Deck, as well as inspections of Dairyu Farm for a shitake mushroom picking experience, and Ashitaba Processing Plant. The tour provided ample opportunity to learn about Hachijojima Island's unique nature and history, leading to high satisfaction among delegates and a truly one-of-a-kind Hachijojima Island experience.
Tokyo's First World Flower Carpet, Eagerly Awaited by Organizers
Yasuhiko Fujikawa, the president of this year's event host, Hanae Cultural Association, had always wanted to host a grand event with flower artists from around the world in Japan, and in 2020 it was decided that the World Flower Carpet would come to Tokyo. However, just before the event, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic leading to much disappointment. Despite this setback, this dream came true three years later with encouragement from flower artists worldwide and assistance from TCVB's island business event subsidy. The hosting of the World Flower Carpet on Tokyo's Hachijojima Island was a truly dream-fulfilling event.
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