Kiev, Ukraine: Ornaments from Fresh Flowers

Traditional embroidery comes alive – literally- at the 55th Annual Flower Exhibition that has opened in Kiev this week.

This year  is dedicated to Ukrainian embroidery traditions—different areas of Kiev are presented by ten flower sets.  They are recreating traditional towels, embroidered with ornaments from various regions of the Ukraine.

[Nina Davidchuk, Landscape Architect]:
"It was such a joy. We were so inspired planting this. We are very pleased.”

About 300 artists have been working over the past three weeks.

Obolonskyi area presents embroidery of the Poltava region. The pattern on the towel, threads and needles for a pillow—are made from plants. Even a pitcher is made of flowers.

[Unidentified Person]:
"Every flower was tied up in order not to fall out, and so it is growing now."

Almost all the plants were planted right on the spot, except those in the center. These carnations are inserted into an “Oasis”, which absorbs water and allows the flowers to stay fresh.

The same technology is used in the composition of the Solomenskiy area: figures of girls are decorated with chrysanthemums. This pattern displays colors of the region, with dominating shades of dark red.

Each of the creations is made from 100 to 300 thousand flowers of about 50 different varieties. But even with such a rich range one cannot always reproduce colors in a realistic way.

The face of the great Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko was made from green plants.

[Maya Kovalenko, Landscape Architect]:
"There are no such flowers. If you put rose petals or something white here, it will wither quickly. These are basically plants that can withstand the sun and warm weather. “

Visitors like the poet’s face, even in green.

[Unidentified Person]:
"These are nicely done with flowers. It is like a historical picture of him.”

The exhibition runs until the 1st of September. After that, the flowers that are left will be planted in the city’s garden beds and greenhouses.

NTD, Kiev, Ukraine