Respected journalist Peter FitzSimons, television personality Gretel Killeen and celebrity chefs Mark Olive and Karen Martini are set to star in this year’s Floriade line-up.
Floriade returns to Commonwealth Park in Canberra from 12 September until 11 October, featuring a fantastic program inspired by the 2015 theme of Reflection.
This year’s garden beds will serve as floral tributes to the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli, representing iconic symbols of war and peace such as the poppy, the Southern Cross, two-up and the famous slouch hat.
As always, visitors to Australia’s biggest celebration of spring can pick up gardening tips from experts in the field, listen to inspiring musical performances, enjoy culinary demonstrations by world-renowned chefs and keep the kids entertained with an exciting line-up of entertainment.
Floriade’s 30 days of activity will also be programmed into four themed weeks – Stories, Pride, Connections and Harmony – to ensure there is something new and exciting to see each week.
Week one of Floriade explores the topics of food, art, culture and fashion, and the stories these aspects of our lives tell. Be transported through the decades with the floral fashion design competition, Horti-couture, welcome our newest residents at Australian Citizenship Ceremonies and learn from the fascinating Churchill Fellowship recipients. Join the very funny and insightful Gretel Killeen at Floriade on Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September.
Our country’s national pride will be on display during week two. In the Inspiration Hub, experience a taste of Canberra’s cultural institutions – who tell the stories of our nation – with interactive demonstrations, workshops and displays. Hear from the respected newspaper columnist, radio host and author, Peter FitzSimons, on Sunday 27 September.
Celebrate the essence of our identity and who we are today as we delve into our family history and cultural practices with the week three theme of connections. Explore our region’s indigenous heritage through dance, art and dreamtime story workshops with Wiradjuri Echoes. See Mark Olive showcase his talent for fusing native food and culture with contemporary lifestyle cooking on Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October.
The final week of Floriade is inspired by the theme of harmony. In The Inspiration Hub see a range of unique artworks inspired by plants and animals, witness painting and sculpture demonstrations and learn about endangered species. Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter Karen Martini will showcase her passion for food in The Kitchen Company Tasting Plate on Saturday 10 October.
