Article: Putrajaya hosts nine-day Flower and Garden fiesta

Saturday August 1, 2009

By CHARLES FERNANDEZ

THE federal administrative capital of Putrajaya is showcasing an explosion of colour and design as it proudly hosts the biggest flower and garden show in this part of the region for the second time.

Described by Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) president Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman as "a garden within a city", the Flower and Garden 2009 fiesta, or Floria 2009, brings the creativity and passion of the region's top floral and landscape designers to Putrajaya, delivered in stunning displays that also convey a environmental message for gardening in the climate we live in.

Beginning today, the nine-day fiesta gives visitors an opportunity to view more than 400,000 live exhibits, including both flowers and vegetables, in a garden atmosphere.

In line with its theme of "Celebrations of Colour", the Floria 2009 – an international event hosted by the PPj and the Federal Territories Ministry – showcases the exciting and vibrant colours of flowers and plants.

Arranged and landscaped in various settings with dedicated locations for photo opportunities, the intertwining flowers and foliage create a magnificent medley of colours that is bound to enthral visitors.

Site visit: Samsuddin (front) taking a tour of the Floria 2009 site at the Precinct 2 Waterfront.

"It is hoped that the festival will inculcate in visitors a respect for nature, love for colours, flowers, plants and gardening," Samsuddin said.

There will be much for visitors to see and do as the 6.07ha site hosts many programmes and activities.

At night, all the attractions will be lit up and visitors can expect a spectacular view of the flowers and gardens that blend well with the lights from the buildings, structures and bridges of Putrajaya.

Samsuddin, who took the press on a tour of the site at the Precinct 2 Waterfront, said beyond viewing these dazzling displays of exotic flowers and vegetables, visitors would be invited to take part in daily seminars that focused on gardening, crafts and others topics that featured family gardening projects and young "green thumbs" and hands-on activity.

Apart from several corporations like Sime Darby, Mardi, Putrajaya Holdings and KLCC Projek, snd educational institutions, like UPM, LimKokWing University, UIA, UiTM and UCSI, 400 students from both the primary and secondary schools in Putrajaya are also taking part in the nine-day floral festival.

The event is open to the public from 9am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to midnight from Friday to Sunday.

For details, visit http://www.ppj.gov.my//floria/; for enquiries, call 03-8887 7437 or 03-8887 7137.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Metro: Central, 1 August 2009